Funny Things Happen When Researching In Person

Misadventures in the age of microfilm readers

Years ago, before I developed chronic pain, I would go to my local Family History Center as they were called back in the day and spend hours researching my family tree. For the uninitiated, this involved sitting hunched in front of a microfilm reader and staring as film spun by. This often left me fuzzy brained, bleary eyed, and with a sore shoulder from hand cranking the machine.

Microfilm Reels and Fumble Fingers

On this one occasion, I got to the center just as they opened. I was eager to get inside and call dibs on a microfilm reader. I was a good 40 years younger than most of the other people filing in. The odds were in my favor.

I claimed my reader and went to get the film from the drawer. I got to my table and pulled the film out of the box.

The reel slipped from my grip and rolled down the aisle unfurling itself along the way.

I chased after the reel hoping to grab it before it hit the main aisle and collided with someone.

Film in hand, I slunk back to my seat. I wasted several minutes getting the film back on the reel. Oh man! Talk about embarrassing. Did anyone see? At least they didn’t ban me.

Stuck in Portuguese Mode

I procrastinated for a year after learning the village my Azorean ancestors were from before I overcame my fear and begin researching in the Portuguese language records. With a lot of practice, my translation skills improved.

I had gotten very good at locating the important phrases in records and made quite a bit of progress on these lines. On this occasion, I read records for hours, scribbling notes in Portuguese. Before I left, I shifted gears.

I wanted to locate the 1870 Census record for my Kelly ancestors in San Francisco. I had the enumeration district and sheet number. I just needed to pull it up.

After loading the microfilm into the machine, I looked at the first record.

My mind went utterly and completely blank. My brain was stuck in Portuguese language mode and kept repeating “filho de, nasceo, baptizado, padrinhos…”.

I couldn’t read the English words!

I sat there for a couple of minutes feeling rather silly. My brain eventually got up to speed and I was able to read my native language again.

Those are a couple of my funny genealogy misadventures. Hope they gave you a good laugh.

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This article was written for Genealogy Matters Storyteller Tuesday Challenge: LOUD LAUGHS. Due by November 4, 2025