Interestingly, for many of the guests in these shows, the looking doesn’t begin very far back. Often the life and memory of only a grandparent or great-grandparent has been lost or forgotten. My own great-grandmother, on my mother’s side, died shortly after I was born. Her name is Jeanne Seguin Argault. I know of one picture of her holding me on the day I was blessed. Other than that I have no memory or personal knowledge of her. If I was to guest star on one of these shows, I might need to start with her. But, thankfully, before she died she took the time to write her life history. Because of this record, I know of some remarkable things that happened in her life, some as dramatic and heart-wrenching as those discovered in the genealogy programs mentioned above.

Jeanne Seguin Argault was born in France. She married twice. First to a complicated man who didn’t treat her well. She had a daughter, Cecile (now deceased), by him. After his death, she married Jules and had two daughters; Renee, and my grandmother, Genevieve (both still living). The family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France; however, Cecile never joined.

My great-grandmother had a dream, in 1939, that war was coming. It was with diligence and determination that she prepared her family to leave France. Her goal was to come to Zion, to be among the Saints, but America’s doors were closed. Instead, she took her family to Argentina, leaving Cecile, married at the time, behind. She would never see Cecile again.

Although living out in the country, in Argentina, my great-grandmother contacted the Church there, and saw that her girls were as active as possible. Jules, although baptized with the rest of the family, continued to be controlling, and physically abusive. My great-grandmother records that “every morning he would say he did not know why he had not murdered us during the night.”

Despite this abuse, and daily terror, my great-grandmother remained faithful to God. She records, “Every night I prayed God for protection and I was sleeping with confidence. I was beaten but the blows did not give me any harm.”

It is difficult for me to learn of this abuse. It is inspiring to read of how she handled it. She prepared to leave her husband. This was difficult because Jules was controlling with the money they received from their potato crops, as well as with their daughters. He never allowed both girls to be out of his sight at the same time. He knew Jeanne wished to leave him, but she would never leave a daughter behind.

Yet again, the Lord was on Jeanne’s side. With much prayer, patience, and faith, my great-grandmother prepared to leave. In her words, “In the evening, we put the trunks in the carriage and Genevieve led them into the bus station. Jules didn’t notice her go in although it was on the very same road and at the very same time that he came home. It was a miracle.”

Together, my great-grandmother, and her daughters, left for Canada where they stayed until they were able to come to America and Utah. My aunt taught school in California. My grandmother, Genevieve, received a wonderful education and became a professor at BYU. My mother was partly raised by my great-grandmother, whom my mother calls “Mème”.

Because of my great-grandmother’s bravery, faith and determination I have been blessed. Because of her, I was raised in the gospel and given the privileges of freedom, education and stability. When I face difficulty in my life, I know I can stand up to it, because my great-grandmother did.

Isn’t it interesting that when we look into our family’s past, we find a little more about ourselves? It adds layers and depths of answers to our questions. It makes us look within ourselves to see if, laying dormant, there is some of the fire that they had in them.

This is the magic of genealogy. The reality television shows have found the drama and excitement of it. The genealogist knows about the thrill and satisfaction that comes from it. God knows the strength that can come to us as we delve into it. He has promised great blessings that come when we look to our fathers, and mothers, and link ourselves with them.

Have you found your fire within?