A Christmas Carol (Genealogy Style)

[LinJ47]

A Christmas Incident
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the charts
The lines that were empty would sure break your heart.
The pedigree chart was laid out with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas would know who or where.
As searcher I nestled all snug in my bed
While visions of ancestors danced through my head.

Others sound asleep both upstairs and down
All in a nightcap and ankle length gown.
when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I jumped from my bed to see what was the matter.
When much to my wonderment there did appear
Good old St Nicholas with a grin to each ear.

His bulk was tremendous, his eyes full of glee
He laughed as he picked up the sad pedigree.
He shouted and roared and ripped it to bits
While I swallowed my heart and went into fits.
"Dash it all, dash it all," I heard him then say,
"This clutter and mess is just in my way."

He said not a word as he started his job
He sat down at once and his pencil did jog.
A new pedigree he filled out in two winks
Giving names, dates, and places and all missing links.
Clear back to Adam, and down to the last...
For ageless was he, having served in the past.

I thought, "Oh, how wonderful it would all be
If he did for others what he did for me!!:
As he finished and blotted the ink not quite dry
A sadness came over me and then I did cry!
He gave me the details and seemed to have such fun
But now all my ancestor chasing was done!!!

He bounced out the window and I heard him say,
"For others I'll do the same any old day,
Just tell them my number and be good and kind,"
But then, a sure thought came into my mind...
Nobody wants ancestors that fast and so good
I'll let everyone else do the job just as they should.

(by Dora Mills - Ash Tree Echo Jan 1983)

[Squigy]

Very true. For anyone who really enjoys genealogy, this would be a disaster! It's really the "thrill of the hunt". I think its fair to say this won't happen, though

[LinJ47]

Dear Squigy,

Genealogy will always leave another rock to unturn, another chapter to read, another new family branch to discover! It is an endless search which is what of course makes this journey all the more rewarding, because like a circle, it has no end!

Happy trails to you!
Linda @ The Jersey Shore ~~~~~

[PeterTimber]

A genealogist is:
a full time detective
a thorough historian
a snoop
a confirmed diplomat(?)
a Keenobserver
a hardened skeptic
an apt biographer
a qualified linguist
a part time lawyer
a studious sociologist
an accurate reporter
an hieroglyphics expert =Peter=

[LinJ47]

Good ones Peter!

Also include:

a Map Navigator
a Net Surfer
a Cemetery Seeker
a Family Healer
a Days of Future Passed fan!

Linda )

[PeterTimber]

Dear Lin your from Nebraska?.....a genuine American from the wild west no less!! MerryChristmas from NYC =Peter=

[LinJ47]

HI Peter,

Interesting question! 8O No, I'm not from Nebraska although I do have lots of family in the Midwest and out West. I guess I'm a "neighbor" as I was born in Bronx, NY and have lived in NJ since I was 2 weeks old!

Merry Christmas from across the Hudson!
Linda @ The Jersey Shore ~~~~~~

[PeterTimber]

I saw the NE initials on your avatar and thought it was Nebraska but the Bronx and NJ will do just fine, particularly the Jersey shore. Where inthe Bronx did you hail from? =Peter=

[LinJ47]

Oops, never thought about the Nebraska connection! "NE" represented North East to me as that is what my Midwestern and Western cousins call me! LOL!

My family lived in the Van Nest area of the Bronx but a few months before I was born moved to Northern Bergen Co, NJ. When Mom went into labor she suddenly decided she didn't want to have a baby in NJ so I was born in Huntspoint Hospital! What an interesting and harried trip across the GW Bridge that must have been! So that's why I spent the first 2 weeks of my life in NY!