*I planned to write about my
great-grandfather Jimmy Clark. However, I was not able to finish the project in
time for this weeks blog. I underwent a Colonoscopy on Thursday morning, which
left me tired and stressed. Though it was uncomfortable, the pain was worth the
knowledge that I am Cancer free. Have you had your Colonoscopy? You can read
about “Jimmy” next week. E.A.B.
Family
Traditions: Uncle Abe said…
There is always an
audience for gossip and fantastic fabrications, even when the truth is far more
compelling.
My experience in the
field of genealogy has taught me that nothing should ever be taken at face
value. A case in point is family tradition. Uncle Abe, who knew them all and
was the unofficial family historian, may not have gotten it right. Most stories
about long departed ancestors are time worn tales, embellished with each
repetition. However, I have never
discounted anything a family member has told me, as an out-and-out lie. Some
family traditions, though riddled with conflicting information, contain elements
that can be verified. Careful analysis of a family tradition can lead to
important revelations about an ancestor that may have been lost forever,
between the lines of a grandiose tale.
Several years ago, I
was contacted by a distant cousin, who related a story that he had been told
about our great-great grandfather. Though the story was flawed and made no
sense from an historical perspective, a reference to New Orleans eventually led
me to my ancestor’s naturalization petition which contained an abundance of
biographical information. Several years later, a cousin, sent me an
unidentified photo of a young sailor from an uncle’s collection. I remembered
that the story as it was told to me, mentioned that while serving in the Civil
War, great-great grandpa “jumped ship” to marry our great-great grandmother. I
sent a copy of the photo to a Civil War expert, who confirmed the photo was
authentic, citing that the sailor was attired in a Civil War uniform.
Though it appears
likely that the image of the young sailor is our great-great grandfather, I
have yet to confirm it by way of further documentation. Still, without the
knowledge of an implausible family tradition, I would have filed the photo and
forgot about it, all the while overlooking what may be an important piece of
evidence.
Call it serendipity,
but because of a strange and flawed tale told to me by a distant cousin, I have
yet to meet face to face, I have made great strides in my research into the
life of an enigmatic ancestor.
A cautionary word:
family traditions die hard. Even when presented with indisputable evidence,
family members will hold fast to the lore and ignore the truth. I have no
explanation for this phenomenon, except to say that there is always an audience
for gossip and fantastic fabrications, even when the truth is far more
compelling. Adhere to the genealogical proof standard, cite all sources and
move forward. The truth will prevail.
