Every Life is a Story

Genealogy really is a spiritual exercise of sorts, giving new life to people long deceased. When/If I ever put my genealogical database into printed form, I intend to use the following as a dedication:

Ecclesiasticus* 44:1-10,13-14
Let us now sing the praises of famous men,
our ancestors in their generations.
The Lord apportioned to them great glory,
his majesty from the beginning.
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and made a name for themselves by their valor;
those who gave counsel because they were intelligent;
those who spoke in prophetic oracles;
those who led the people by their counsels
and by their knowledge of the people's lore;
they were wise in their words of instruction;
those who composed musical tunes,
or put verses in writing;
rich men endowed with resources,
living peacefully in their homes--
all these were honored in their generations,
and were the pride of their times.
Some of them have left behind a name,
so that others declare their praise.
But of others there is no memory;
they have perished as though they had never existed;
they have become as though they had never been born,
they and their children after them.
But these also were godly men,
whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
Their offspring will continue forever,
and their glory will never be blotted out.
Their bodies are buried in peace,
but their name lives on generation after generation.

*[Note: Ecclesiasticus, or the Book of Sirach, is one of the 2nd-Century B.C. Hebrew writings from the Apocrypha, a collection of religious history and commentary traditionally included in the Bible by Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican/Episcopal and Lutheran churches. It was part of the original King James translation of the Bible, but was removed when the Puritans took over Britain. The passage above is traditionally read aloud on All Saints’ Day.]

Lovin' it, Bob!

I agree...and sums up genealogical pursuit.

Posted by
Gary Gevedon
Facebook::Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - RAOGK USA

Why do I search, Why do I need to Know
About these past generations of so long ago
What were they like and how would they feel
That eleven generations later wonder about them still
I am a part of them and they are a part of me
It took every single one to make this family
As I search for my history with each and every fact
I grow closer and closer to my generation past
When I came across a picture that was 100 years old
I look through all the faces and all the stories left untold
Like the man that looks like my son when I look into his eyes
Or the woman with her baby on her hip holding her head up high
As I search into the night, I feel myself grin
Maybe if I had met these people, we may not even be friends
But even if we weren't, they are still important to me
Every one of them contributed to my "own" family
As my journey continues what a feeling I get
Knowing 300 years before me they stepped where I step
To some it may seem like a waste or too much of a task
But for me it's a treasure to know about
My Generations Past