While I've not talked about it much lately (and that would be because it's been virtually ignored in my life lately), the study of genealogy really fascinates me. No, I'm not a Mormon, and I don't have any religious reasons for being intrigued by it. I think that the part I love the most is stumbling onto a story about somebody with whom I have a teeny tiny blood connection. It's the little stories that capture me, and then the putting together of all the pieces into a better understanding of where I came from and how it has impacted this place where I live.
I've mostly been focusing on my dad's lines, because, save a few, they have been the easiest to follow. I've mentioned before that except for one line that leads to Germany, the rest have led back to England. I was looking last night at one of my mother's lines, because she deserves equal attention, and I had forgotten that the Cross family came to this country in the 1600s, too. I'm reinvigorated to learn more about Rachel Proctor who married John Crosse - did they marry before they immigrated? Did they meet on the boat? Did they come to Boston (their point of entry) as children? What must have it been like to come to America, this vast and wild land?
The other reason I'm taken by these early families who left England to cross the sea in search of a new life is even more personal. My daughter, Elasti-girl and her familiy are about to cross the ocean, returning to the seedbed of her roots, serving as missionaries in England. There is something quite poignant about this whole idea, and visiting her there will no doubt provide endless opportunities to learn more.
Interestingly, the 1600s isn't that long ago in England. For us, it seems like there was nothing before that time, because our heritage in America begins then. But my friend Lulu, vacationing in England these past two weeks, visited a building erecting in the 900s. History takes on a whole new meaning in England. You put all this together, and you have the past, present and future meeting together in this moment, and another chapter to this story is born. I'm trying to capture it as we go, bringing in elements of the past and visions for the future, and looking for the meaning in it all. Nothing happens by coincidence and it all has significance in the course of our journey on this earth.
For me, what makes the pieces of this grand puzzle even more eye-opening is the spiritual thread running through the entire story. What happened then impacts what is happening now, and my part of in this story will somehow leave a mark (good or bad) on the future.
I, Looks like we are researching the same line.I am related to John Crosse through my mothers line. MIne runs through a branch that goes from Ohio back to Maryland.
I too am planning an ocean voyage once my kids fly the nest in a couple years. We want to move to Ireland, Dublin likely
Posted by: Jennifer MacDonald | January 15, 2010 at 08:04 AM