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Archiver > PACAMBRI > 2000-02 > 0949681836
From: <>
Subject: Re: [PACAMBRI] who were they?
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 11:30:36 EST
In a message dated 00-02-04 10:33:26 EST, writes:
<< how many of you researchers feel that you have
a better idea of who your ancestors were from finding the facts/dates for
them?
What bits of info have any of you found that gave you the most insight?
I sometimes find myself getting almost a psychic sense of some of them and
their personalities etc. that I am sure is based somewhat, but not
entirely,
on the cold facts I've uncovered.
Do I just have an overactive imagination . . .?? >>
Hello Karen~~
I agree with you 1000%. Through my discoveries, I feel I am so much closer to
my ancestors - almost familiar with the paths that they walked. My deepest
insight into their lives has been from obtaining Death Certificates. Finding
out what my Lost Loved Ones passed away from has been so revealing as to what
went on in their lives and what each family must have done to cope with many
of the tragic illnesses. So many people say to me "how do you remember all of
that stuff?" It must be something that each family historian experiences - an
almost intimacy with each of our known about ancestors. It keeps me wanting
to search deeper and deeper. I've had the experience (I'd say very fortunate,
others say how sad or unfortunate) to live for quite a few years with no
electricity, running water or modern conveniences. I cooked totally on my
wood cookstove or on hot days on an outside campfire. I actually did scrub
our laundry on a washboard in our "crick", and yes, we do have an outhouse!
In winter when snow was too deep to haul water from our spring- I actually
melted snow in a wash boiler on the woodstove for our household water. After
having "done" it, I still don't know how our ancestors "did" it ??? You could
say I did walk in their shoes, and the love and admiration I have for them
goes so much deeper now. I too, at one time wondered "who were they?, but I
strongly feel their lives won't lost, as long as I can pass their history on
to their future generations.
Karen, those were some GREAT questions!
Lynda Clear
Digging Up Roots From Pennsylvania
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