My Family Lineage

In class on Tuesday we talked about family lineage and how some trace their lines of descent through females known as "matrilineal," some trace theirs through males and are "patrilineal," and others - like my family - are "bilateral" meaning lines of descent are traced through both males and females. I classify my family as this because while my dad's side of the family is mostly German and Catholic, my mom's side is mostly Sweedish. That being said, my mom always points out to me and my brothers how our blonde hair and blue eyes are characteristic of our Sweedish descent. Also with her side we often are reminded of our heritage because we have Sweedish desserts at family gatherings and whatnot. On the other hand, we strongly identify with my dad's German descent because we grew up in a majority-German community most of whom, like us are Catholics. Another thing that we joke about at my dad's side family gatherings is how Germans are known as beer drinkers; and sure enough, the adults often socialize over a beer when they get together for special occassions.
Having this kind of bilateral family lineage has impacted me to acknowledge what make my family and me unique in relation to our lines of descent.