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The soul of the family tree : ancestors, stories, and the spirits we inherit
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2021
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Publishers Weekly Review
In this shrewd memoir, Erickson (Holy Rover) details how researching her Norwegian American heritage led to deep personal reflection. The modern ability to investigate one's ancestry using DNA, she argues, can be about more than just biology: "We're searching for roots and a story that can tie together the disparate parts of our lives and help us form our identities." With a light hand, Erickson invites readers to follow her lead and take some liberties in the search for one's "spiritual DNA." She shares stories of visiting excavation sites, museums, and even a Viking reenactment in a quest to reclaim her spiritual heritage. Alongside anecdotes of Erickson finding her roots both in her Iowa hometown (founded by Norwegian immigrants) and by tracing her heritage back to Europe, she includes brief histories of the Vikings, with special attention paid to the explorers Leif Eriksson (an early if loose convert to Christianity) and his admirable sister-in-law Gudrid the Far Traveler (the author's "adopted foremother"). While Erickson's approach is heartfelt, her contention that "in the modern world... we're no longer tied to our ancestral identities" will strike some as rather curious. Readers may find themselves ordering their own DNA testing kit upon finishing this. (Aug.)
Summary

"Readers may find themselves ordering their own DNA testing kit upon finishing this." --Publishers Weekly
"The Soul of the Family Treeposits that a spiritual grounding in one's family history can combat 'historical amnesia' and nurture a sense of belonging." --Foreword Reviews

Growing up in a passionately Norwegian-American Iowa town, Lori Erickson rolled her eyes at traditions like Nordic Fest and steaming pots of rømmegrøt. But like many Americans, she eventually felt drawn to genealogy, the "quintessential hobby of middle age." Her quest to know more about the Vikings and immigrants who perch in her family tree led her to visit Norse settlements and reenactments, medieval villages and modern museums, her picturesque hometown and her ancestor's farm on the fjords.

Along the way, Erickson discovers how her soul has been shaped by her ancestors and finds unexpected spiritual guides among the seafaring Vikings and her hardscrabble immigrant forebears. Erickson's far-ranging journeys and spiritual musings show us how researching family history can be a powerful tool for inner growth. Travel with Erickson in The Soul of the Family Treeto learn how the spirits of your ancestral past can guide you today.

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