Seriously into genealogy I have a genuine regard for generations past, present, and future. Our family tree is approaching 17,000 folks, almost all with substantial documentation to verify their existence and relationship to me. Birth, marriage and death records go back hundreds of years. On occasion, obtaining data for the project meant traipsing through the rain in muddy Scottish graveyards, searching for and photographing barely readable, time-worn headstones. Admittedly, solace and bodily warmth for this effort was soon sought in nearby distilleries and hospitable pubs! This to set the stage for my thoughts about responsibilities with respect to typical historical time separations within families.