I haven't written much since my aunt passed away last month. Trying to focus on genealogy and/or family stuff is hard. She was an inspiration. She was fiesty. She reminds me of myself. lol.
Today, I signed on to Ancestry.com looking for an inspiration on researching an ancestor. I hadn't researched anyone in a while, nor have I had that urge too. But, today, I tried to urge myself to do it. As I sat there staring at the page, nothing came to mind. Not one single ancestor. Instead, my mind wondered to what I could be doing instead. The family newsletter.
Yes, I write a quarterly family newsletter for my entire family. For all the Spence, Lowry, Banks, & McCoy descendants. That equates to approximately 150 households and I'm late with my deadline. Very late as a matter of fact. So I decided to work on it tonight.
As I sat here editing the newsletter and trying to add captions to pictures, I realized I was missing names of people who performed at the reunion. So, I called my grand uncle. He is the husband of my aunt that recently passed. While on the phone with him for literally a minute, he tells me that his son was there. Hands him the phone and we start talking.
My cousin tells me that he found a box that contained a lot of pictures. Pictures with names on the back! (I love you Auntie, but I knew you were holding out on me. lol.) He said that he will send them to me to help me with the research. How amazing. I knew that this unfinished work of the family newsletter was what I was supposed to do. I don't know why I was avoiding it. But, I'm glad I'm working on it now.
I could not be happier for you... I know you've waited a long time to begin gathering those [soon to be] coveted family images.
ReplyDeleteAmazing your Aunt was the inspiration for getting you going on your journey & also the catalyst behind a closed source, opening up...
Hmmm... Auntie (and the Ancestors) knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Remember Allum - they see the full picture & make no mistakes...
Can't wait to share them with you...
Luckie.
I'm telling you. I remember asking her last year during the reunion for pictures and she said that she didn't have anything. I knew she did because she was the unofficial historian for the family. I think there was some resentment on the families part because she was the wife who knew more than the family.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait either.
Condolences on your aunt's passing. An aunt of mine who was also a big supporter of my own family history research efforts passed about a year ago, so I know the feeling. Enjoy that gift of history she left for you to share with others! And I, too, have a family newsletter deadline looming. Guess I better go start working on that!
ReplyDeleteJoe
Thanks Joseph. I'm really looking forward to the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteEverything happens for a reason. I don't think it's a coincidence that you put off working on that newsletter until now. I think your aunt is looking out for you.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences on your aunt's passing. Her gift is a researchers dream. I'm sure there are many stories inside that box.
ReplyDeleteSandra
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your aunt. She certainly seems to have been a real asset to your research, and apparently is continuing to be so. And hooray for your cousin for sending the photos (and much rejoicing that the photos are labeled!)
ReplyDelete