I’m Jen and I’m a Generation Xer. (Not so much the hipster kind as the nerdy kind.) I’m a recovering journalist and now I apply my investigative skills to digging into family history. I love GENealogy and am trying to understand how to use GENetics to strengthen my research and solve family mysteries. Hence the moniker “JenGenX.”
I’ve been a diehard dabbler for many years. For much of that time, I didn’t advertise my interest much outside of my family. I felt self-conscious because of the perception that genealogy is not a cool hobby for the young.
Now that I’m in my mid-40s, I’m realizing how quickly time passes. Memories fade. Relatives pass on. Opportunities disappear before I recognize them for what they are. I can’t wait until my hair turns completely grey to embrace my interest in genealogy, so there’s no time like the present! (OK, let’s be real: I inherited an early grey gene. But I’m not embracing that!)
I’m starting this blog because I have stories to tell and lessons to share as I try to tell them. But I also know that in this universe I am still a “baby genealogist,” so I still have a lot to learn. Don’t be afraid to weigh in — maybe we can help each other along the way.
Jen Sansbury selfie at Sansbury Lane in Ozark, Alabama.
The JenGenX Files 
Welcome to the genealogy blogging world, Jen! When I started genealogy I was in my 20s. I have now heard a lot of stories of people who started in their childhood. But, I remember the first genealogy conference I went to. It was in 1999 in Lufkin, Texas. We stayed in dorms. Anyway, one night they decided to dismiss us for dinner from the oldest group down. They let those go who were 80 and over, 70 and over, 60 and over, 50 and over… Then, there were only 3 of us left so they just said the rest of us “under 50” could go eat. I definitely felt like a “baby” genealogist! But, everyone was so nice.
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Thanks, Dana! What a memorable moment! And thanks for inspiring me to stop thinking about blogging and actually do it!
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