At a wedding in Basavanagudi, guests were in for a surprise when a 60-foot scroll was unveiled, not with a traditional wedding menu but with a detailed family tree. The tree, showcasing the lineage of Rammohan V C, was a project close to his heart. “I had seen family trees created by others and felt it was something we needed for our own family,” says Rammohan, a retired government official. He highlights the practical importance of knowing one’s ancestors, especially when performing last rites for forefathers. However, he admits that gathering accurate family details has been a challenge.
Giri Tirumale, a retired techie, has also been working on his family tree. “Getting relatives to share information was difficult,” he recalls. He notes how family memories often fade with the passing of generations and how tracing his family’s migration from villages to Bengaluru and beyond has been an eye-opening experience. His family tree documents how societal customs have evolved, with marriages once predominantly within communities now including a more diverse mix, including foreign nationals. Tirumale’s project also incorporates hundreds of restored photos and images enhanced with AI to bring old, faded pictures back to life.
Similarly, entrepreneur Nagarjuna Panyam has turned his family tree into a treasure trove of rare photos and wedding invitations dating back to the 1800s. This living document is regularly used by his family members, both in India and abroad, to stay connected with relatives and celebrate important milestones.
For Zarryl Lobo’s family, a Bible has been the cornerstone of lineage documentation since 1886. Updated by his family over the years, it contains hand-written names, birth dates, and other personal details. The Bible, though old and fragile, remains a cherished keepsake, linking generations together.
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