Christmas Wishes
Written by Nikki-ann on Sunday, 25 November , 2007 at 12:49 pm
The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is Wish Lists. So here’s my Genealogy Christmas Wish List:
Dear Santa,
1. Great Grandfather Alfred’s birth certificate
I have found birth certificates for several of his brothers, including his eldest and youngest brother, yet Alfred’s birth certificate seems to escape me. I know it was in the early days of registration, but surely his birth was registered if his brothers’ births were registered. The closest thing I have to Alfred’s missing birth certificate is a copy of a Parish Register page which includes his baptism. I also have a family bible in which Alfred’s birth date is noted, but it was written in many years after Alfred was born and the birth year looks to have been edited. I’m guessing he as baptised the same year he was born, but still I can’t find his birth certificate.
2. For my Great Grandparents’ Gravestone to be restored
When I found my Great Grandparents’ (Alfred & Mary) gravestone in Malpas, some of the letters were missing. I would dearly love to restore the headstone to it’s original condition.
3. Great Great Great Great Grandfather James’ death certificate
I only recently discovered James, but I would dearly love to find his death certificate. He disappears from the census records and his wife Jane remarried, so I have a window to work to, but I’ve still not been able to find the right death certifiate. I ordered one a few weeks back, but it turned out not to be his. Why did he die young? If you could find it for me, could you send a copy to my distant cousin in Australia who would also be very grateful.
4. To be able to put names to photos
I have a big box containing photos of family, soldiers and friends of the family. Dad can put names to some of them, but who are the others?
5. A time-machine
Imagine how much research I could do with one of these!
I know one or two of these wishes are impossible, but maybe one or two could be completed. I have tried to be good this year.
Yours faithfully,
Nikki-ann.
What would you put on your wish list?
Submit your Genealogy Wish List here.
Category: Family History, Carnival of Genealogy
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Comment by Jean-Luc Picard
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 1:07 pm
That’s a well thought out WishList. Your blog looks a lot more stylish now.
Michele sent me here.
Comment by Apple
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 2:29 pm
Just a few scraps of paper. Certainly doesn’t seem like too much to ask for. Being able to put names to the old photos would be priceless. I hope you get a few of your wishes. If you get the time machine can I tag along?
Comment by Susan Helene Gottfried
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 3:08 pm
How neat that you can trace your family back so far! I apparently have cousins who’ve traced part of my family back, but since we’re Jewish and of Eastern European descent, most of the records and stories have been lost.
If I could grant you one thing for Christmas, it would be the missing names and stories for those pictures you have.
Michele sent me today; I think I’m going to get to work on my own, long-promised family scrapbook so my kids will know at least some of this stuff…
Comment by Karen
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 3:18 pm
A time machine would be so cool - to go back and meet everyone and find out what happened to their death certificates. You’ve done so much research and I’m sure they’re looking down on you and are very happy that you’ve been so diligent. Hang in there - I think a lot of this will happen.
Restoring Alfred’s headstone would be a wonderful tribute, indeed. *HUGS*
Comment by simplypink
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 4:10 pm
Damaged/absent headstones always make me sad. Photos without writing on the back get to me. We should all make a habit to do better for future generations. My wishlist would be knowing more about my gr grandmother. She died young and very little is known about her. I think she is from a family with historical significance but we’ll possibly never know the truth.
Comment by Janice
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 5:17 pm
Nikki-Ann,
Regarding Great-Grandfather Alfred, et al…
Remember that his birth date (at least the year) may be different than you expect it to be. There were a few instances in my own family where children were born before a couple was married, or the child of a close family member was quietly “adopted” and so my ancestors went to great lengths to cover those instances up. You might want to look a year or two earlier for those documents. You’d be surprised at how many children were not baptized the same year they were born.
As for your grandparent’s tombstone, contact the local church or organization that takes care of the graveyard and see if they have the original wording transcription for that stone.
I hope that some of your wishes come true for you.
Janice
Comment by OldOldLady Of The Hills
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 5:34 pm
This is a GREAT Wish List, Nikki-Ann….And I bet a LOT odf them could come true! I dearly hope you find that BirthCertificate and the Death Certificate you need, too….! I think I mentioned to you before that my sister is the Geneologist in our family and has, like you, found some amazing things….
May ALL your Christmas Wishes come true!
Comment by Andrea
Made Sunday, 25 of November , 2007 at 11:22 pm
If you get the time machine could you share it with me? I’d like to meet my grandparents. I never knew my grandfather on my mom’s side or either grandma or grandfather on my dad’s side. I’ve only seen a few photos and those are few for some reason.
Comment by xtel
Made Monday, 26 of November , 2007 at 8:02 am
hey yu! still remember me? just lettin you know i’m back bloggin hehe.
Comment by Phyllis
Made Tuesday, 27 of November , 2007 at 1:39 am
Great wish list! My sister is interested in our geneology. I don’t have the energy or time to get into it. Good for you for delving into yours!
Comment by Jolynn
Made Tuesday, 27 of November , 2007 at 4:53 pm
Wow, your Christmas list is ambitious. You’re right, probably a few are not likely, but some of those I know you can accomplish.
