Details like these give a story new depth.

“That makes your ancestors come to life — to be able to tell the story,” she said. “You never know what you’re going to run across. And it could be something you don’t want to know about, or the family’s tried to hide a secret. We call those skeletons in your closet. But then, there are good things that you find out people have done or been involved with.”

Molohon is active with the Atlanta-based Georgia Genealogical Society and the Cobb County Genealogical Society. When she began her research close to 40 years ago, resources were different.

“Back then, of course, none of it was electronic,” she said. “It was all handwritten or typed notes and letters going back between the relatives or ancestors trying to find out information about their family and how the family had grown.”

Online offerings have expanded since then.

The GGS website, gagensociety.org, is a good jumping-off point. It has a map of the state divided into regions with listings of genealogical societies, libraries and other places where those interested in researching their roots can further their work.

Documentation is important

Madelyn Nix, 76, is the current head of the GGS and holds the distinction of being the organization’s first Black president. She’s been a member since around 2008 when she began seriously researching her own lineage.

“All of my friends were going to…