I have been given a great swag of files and documents from one of my older cousins recently. This morning, while Steve and the LGBB are out at a movie for Fathers Day, I am sitting in my new den soaking up a brief half hour on my own. And, y’know, just doing nothing out of the ordinary.
I’m reading through the private letters from my great-grandfather Edward Leslie to his wife, Alice Leonora, while he was stationed in France during WWI.
I am riveted. This is the man who was the baptist minister, preaching about things ahead of his time to fundamental religious types whom he had shifting uneasily in their pews. The more I read about him the more I really dig the guy! And to “hear” his voice, in his own words (he even used the term “slacker” to describe himself in wartime France, 1917, because he was writing to his wife instead of whatever it was he was supposed to be doing in his hut!) after all these years and all the family stories is just priceless to me.
Question:
Who would be interested in me doing a series of posts on my family history? On my private blog, a long while back now, I began the story of my father’s mother and how it intertwined with my life (my conception journey, to be accurate). This is different. This journey through my mother’s side is enabling a softness and a fondness to come over me, towards her, the further I get to know my forebears down her family line.
I want to weave a bit of my learning in there… But I’m not sure if it’d get boring for anyone outside of my family.
So… Hands up here who’s a genealogy/family history nut and, if you are, would hearing about another’s family history be in any way helpful to you? Do you think?
Ohh, yes, please!
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I'd love to read about your family history!
I'm a family genealogy and history nut so it's a moot point from me lol, but it'd be a really good read
Jayne: Excellent! I get really into it. So much so that the only downside I can see is…. Imma gonna waffle! But then, what's new?!?! Cheers.
I would really love to have some of my family history like that so go ahead post I would love to read it!
Heather: Wow, I hadn't thought of that. This side of the family, in particular, have been diligent record-keepers (and prolific writers!) so I am perhaps taking for granted the luxury of having so much recorded history, collated so well by a couple of generations of gatherers now. Thanks for your enthusiasm!
Our family history is what defines us both genetically and emotionally and is something that resonates for everybody… and that's before you count the social history aspect of it all. Go for it!
I love this kind of stuff so yes please
I'm a huge fan of ALL history, and I think you telling your own would be riveting! I say, GO for it!!
Also, thank you for your kind, thoughtful comment on my blog! I really, really appreciate it! Have a great weekend!
I like history posts, but I would love to read the letters, because I am nosey, and love reading what young men wrote home about back then.
I'd love to read about it.
Family histories are fascinating, especially when you don't have any of your own to relate to.
I love learning about my own family history, the stories resonate so deeply with me. I wonder how different things will be in our futures, so much of our own history is recorded in digital mediums! I would love to learn more about your history, it might inspire me to delve more deeply into my own! My Mum inherited an old steamer trunk full of my grandfathers old flying log books from the second world war. Its full of incredible stories!
Do it, and with your bubbly exuberance. The individuals are personal to you but all stories come from this kind of material.
I've been delving into old letters this last year – some I've blogged about – I love the big fat envelope I found labelled "An Antarctican's Letters to his Wife."
And I'd have to say those letters from the Ice are Hot!
Look forward to reading more about your grandfather, in his words and yours