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A very personal history

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

History is one of my personal favourite subjects, so it naturally follows that my family history is an area that I take great interest in. Another member of my family has spent many years researching our ancestry and history, so that we now have an extensive family tree dating back to the late 17th century along some branches.

To be able to see details of my ancestors and their lives is to see the background of what makes me and my family who we are today. An example - I studied both French and German at school and of the two my preference was, and still is, for German, which I find I can pick up more naturally. It wasn’t until some years later that I found that we had German ancestors who lived in London. This is probably no more than a coincidence, but for me it brings my interest in things German much closer to home - it is now a part of my own makeup.

These members of my family tree were Lutherans, and it is possible that they were forced to leave Germany to escape Catholic persecution. Hopefully this is something we can discover more about in the future.

Then there were those in our ancestry who died at a very young age, and the parents, brothers and sisters who lived with the heartbreak of their loss. Or what about the boy who grew up in a workhouse in complete poverty but went on to build a life for himself in an age when there was no state assistance, and social standing and background were considered so much more important than they are today.

This is not to say that these discoveries have led to some great personal revelation or life changing experience, but it is something that helps to build my sense of identity. Knowing some of the smaller details of the lives of my ancestors and the surroundings in which they lived has given me a better awareness and appreciation of some of the positive things in my own life as well as things of which I should be thankful but perhaps take for granted amidst the din of everyday life.

Any family history will reveal details and events both large and small, joyful and tragic, and for me this helps to get some context in my own life when times are hard. Sometimes it is all too easy to get wrapped up in a personal problem, when sometimes it is better to take a step back and realise that in time things will improve, or that if I work hard at something I can change it for the better.

No doubt I shall be posting more on the subject of my family tree in the future, and I would be interested to hear from anyone who is doing their own research, or who has a story of their own.

Posted in Genealogy, History, Life | No Comments »

Snow & the hardships of being British

Sunday, April 6th, 2008

As evidence of continued weather-based strangeness comes this photo:

Last week, conversation in our office turned to “Spring has Sprung” related topics as the weather warmed up. Four days later, and we have a full-on blizzard. No doubt all traffic and public transport has come to a screeching halt as is the tradition in the UK. The news will be full of stories of poor unfortunates who have been delayed from reaching their destinations “by several hours” as the media reach a code-red level of slow-news hysteria, again a traditional British pursuit. Small stranded motorway communities will find a means of surviving on sweets and snacks purchased / looted from a distant service station…

Meanwhile, my own personal crisis has occurred - I have been watching the blanket build up in our back garden all morning until it reached the point of perfect consistency - no grass showing through etc. Suddenly this was disturbed by an inconsiderate neighbour from the upstairs flat trampling across the communal lawn and ruining the symmetry. This has set back neighbourly diplomatic relations some years.

So the following questions require answers, and I am sure we will be looking to the BBC to provide them: Will we survive? How many homes will be destroyed? And will Tom Jackson from Redhill make it to the shops before sundown?

Posted in Life, News | No Comments »