Author Topic: Poems for and by genealogists  (Read 19205 times)

Offline Stewart R

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A poem for the Genealogist
« Reply #18 on: Thursday 10 May 07 20:33 BST (UK) »
I don't consider my self an expert in poetry, in fact I don't usually like it at all. But for all those who dispare as to why we do this seemingly thankless task, that is family history, I found this rather touching poem on the net that might help those that have hit the "Brick Wall" and in need of a bit of a boost.



Dear Ancestor......

Your headstone stands among the rest
Neglected and alone
The name and date are all but worn
On polished, marble stone.

It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
Entirely not our own.

Dear ancestor, the place you filled
 One hundred years ago
Spreads out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so.

I wonder if you lived and loved
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot
And come to visit you.



Moderator Comment: topics merged
Reid, Wolfendale, Hawkin, Tapp
Plymouth, Macclesfield, Liverpool.

Offline Berlin-Bob

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Re: Poems for and by genealogists
« Reply #19 on: Thursday 10 May 07 20:54 BST (UK) »
And another one for the collection:

I've been doing family history for nearly 30 years,
Diligently tracing my illustrious forebears,
From Pigeon Lake to Peterborough, Penrith to Penzance,
My merry band of ancestors has led me quite a dance.

There's cooks from Kent and guards from Gwent
and chimney sweeps from Chester.
There's even one daft fisherman lived all his life in Leicester,
There's no-one rich or famous, no not even well-to-do,
Though a second cousin twice removed once played in goal for Crewe.

I've haunted record offices from Gillingham to Jarrow,
The little grey cells of my mind would humble Hercule Poirot.
I've deciphered bad handwriting that would shame a three year old,
And brought the black sheep of the family back to the fold.

My bride of just three minutes, I left standing in the church,
As I nipped into the graveyard for a spot of quick research.
Eventually I found an uncle, sixty years deceased.
That was far more satisfying than a silly wedding feast,

After three weeks of wedded bliss, my wife became despondent.
She named the public records office as the co-respondent.
I didn't even notice when she packed her bags and went
I was looking for a great granddad's will who'd died in Stoke on Trent

But now my 30 year obsession's lying in the bin
Last Tuesday week, I heard some news that made me pack it in.
Twas then my darling mother, who is not long for this earth,
Casually informed me they'd adopted me at birth!


Source:  all of sorts of places on the internet.
Any UK Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk)

Offline soulsister

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Ancestors
« Reply #20 on: Thursday 17 May 07 13:04 BST (UK) »
Just been flicking through some of my nanas old notebooks, she is also an avid 'digger-upper'!! At the back of one these i have found this:

Ancestors

IF YOU COULD SEE YOUR ANCESTORS,
ALL STANDING IN A ROW,
THERE MIGHT BE SOME OF THEM PERHAPS
YOU WOULDN'T CARE TO KNOW.
BUT HERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION, WHICH
REQUIRES A DIFFERENT VIEW,
IF YOU COULD MEET YOUR ANCESTORS
WOULD THEY BE PROUD OF YOU?

Unfortunately i do not know who wrote this, but it definitely has me thinking!!!!

Emma.


Moderator Comment: topics merged
Yorkshire: Bennison, Sedman, Collinson, Taylor, Lambert, Ness
Cumberland: Carrick
Hunts, Leicstershire, Beds: Lewin, Beale, Kinton, Weston
Middlesex: Gadsdon, Matts, Stephenson, Sharp
Lincolnshire: Stephenson, Would, Blythman
Ireland: Callan,
Scotland: Bunyan/Bullion

Offline LizzieW

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Re: Ancestors
« Reply #21 on: Thursday 17 May 07 13:07 BST (UK) »
I like that, I've saved it in a file with other "special" poems.

Liz


Offline kateblogs

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Re: Ancestors
« Reply #22 on: Thursday 17 May 07 13:17 BST (UK) »
I like that too. Thanks for posting it :-)
GILBY - Essex, Warwickshire and Cambridgeshire
OWENS - Yorkshire (West Riding) and Ireland
PUGH - Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, and Nottinghamshire
RYLANDS - Liverpool and Ireland

Offline soulsister

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Re: Ancestors
« Reply #23 on: Thursday 17 May 07 13:20 BST (UK) »
Glad you like it!!!   :)

Emma.
Yorkshire: Bennison, Sedman, Collinson, Taylor, Lambert, Ness
Cumberland: Carrick
Hunts, Leicstershire, Beds: Lewin, Beale, Kinton, Weston
Middlesex: Gadsdon, Matts, Stephenson, Sharp
Lincolnshire: Stephenson, Would, Blythman
Ireland: Callan,
Scotland: Bunyan/Bullion

Offline Alangeo1

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Re: Poems for and by genealogists
« Reply #24 on: Wednesday 23 May 07 17:55 BST (UK) »
One of my own

The Family Tree

The trunk stands there in majesty
Its roots spread far and wide
Its branches stretch with energy
You’re a twig there on the side

For centuries it has stood there
In time how it has grown
Soon you’ll find you’re no longer bare
You’ve twiglets of your own

How quickly they grow and multiply
As you settle within the canopy
Relax and give a gentle sigh
You’re part of the family tree

AGB

Alan

Offline soulsister

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Re: Poems for and by genealogists
« Reply #25 on: Wednesday 23 May 07 19:10 BST (UK) »
What a lovely poem Alan! I really like it!!

Thanks for sharing it!

Emma
Yorkshire: Bennison, Sedman, Collinson, Taylor, Lambert, Ness
Cumberland: Carrick
Hunts, Leicstershire, Beds: Lewin, Beale, Kinton, Weston
Middlesex: Gadsdon, Matts, Stephenson, Sharp
Lincolnshire: Stephenson, Would, Blythman
Ireland: Callan,
Scotland: Bunyan/Bullion

Offline Alangeo1

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Re: Poems for and by genealogists
« Reply #26 on: Wednesday 23 May 07 19:16 BST (UK) »
Thank You Emma

Alan