It's a lot different for the ones who are being invaded than it does for the invaders. The former has more reason to remember while the latter has more reason to forget.
I think it really depends on your family. If history and the telling of old family stories (even when passed down incorrectly) was part of your upbringing then you tend to care about the family history.
One of my relatives fought in the 1st Virginia but discharged dishonorably for desertion sometime in September of 1863. My guess is he had seen enough. And yet one of his relatives was a very famous doctor and soldier in Virginia during the civil war.
As a Celt I would assume you know and are well versed in your family history. The stories my Scotish grandmother used to tell of her family were (and are) priceless
I can see that viewpoint. I also believe family is, to some degree, more important in the south than the north. Or perhaps that dedication to family in the south is expressed differently.
CC