People in my own family tree, like your Richard Tidwell, with mysterious origins and stories keep me up at night. My husband doesn’t really feel comfortable when I climb into our bed at night and invite specific ones to come and haunt me! I just tell him I have questions that need answers and some friendly ghostly interviewing sometimes seems like the only possible source. It hasn’t happened yet but I keep looking for records while occasionally inviting them to my home for a visit…just in case it’s the only way!
Marnieka, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this pull toward our many mysterious ancestors! There's something almost magnetic about those gaps in the record, isn't there? The ones with no clear birth records, no obvious trail - they seem to whisper louder than the well-documented relatives!!!!
Your husband's reaction made me laugh - I can just picture him wondering what he's gotten himself into when you're actively inviting ghostly visitors to join you at bedtime! But honestly, there are nights when I've found myself doing something similar - staring at Richard Tidwell's name in my notes (or our Frederick-s) and thinking, 'Come on, just give me one clue. One little hint about where you were or how your people were connecting.'
Maybe it's because the mystery makes them feel more alive somehow? The ones we know everything about can feel settled, complete. But these enigmatic ancestors... they feel unfinished, like they're still reaching across time asking to be found and understood. Keep inviting them over - and keep digging through those records too. Sometimes the most rewarding discoveries come from the ones who make us work the hardest for their stories. thank you!!!!!!
People in my own family tree, like your Richard Tidwell, with mysterious origins and stories keep me up at night. My husband doesn’t really feel comfortable when I climb into our bed at night and invite specific ones to come and haunt me! I just tell him I have questions that need answers and some friendly ghostly interviewing sometimes seems like the only possible source. It hasn’t happened yet but I keep looking for records while occasionally inviting them to my home for a visit…just in case it’s the only way!
Marnieka, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this pull toward our many mysterious ancestors! There's something almost magnetic about those gaps in the record, isn't there? The ones with no clear birth records, no obvious trail - they seem to whisper louder than the well-documented relatives!!!!
Your husband's reaction made me laugh - I can just picture him wondering what he's gotten himself into when you're actively inviting ghostly visitors to join you at bedtime! But honestly, there are nights when I've found myself doing something similar - staring at Richard Tidwell's name in my notes (or our Frederick-s) and thinking, 'Come on, just give me one clue. One little hint about where you were or how your people were connecting.'
Maybe it's because the mystery makes them feel more alive somehow? The ones we know everything about can feel settled, complete. But these enigmatic ancestors... they feel unfinished, like they're still reaching across time asking to be found and understood. Keep inviting them over - and keep digging through those records too. Sometimes the most rewarding discoveries come from the ones who make us work the hardest for their stories. thank you!!!!!!