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Christine

Christine Report 24 Mar 2008 12:15

Hi Linda,

The poem is lovely and your idea of putting it on gravestones is a really nice way to pay respects to ancestors. I'm going to copy it and do the same - when I find some graves of my ancestors. If that's okay with you.

Regards

Chris

maryjane-sue

maryjane-sue Report 1 Mar 2008 12:13

Last year I was able to visit the village my grandmother was born in and spent most of the day in the churchyard, taking photos for my web site.

The day before I went I picked up 3 bunches of assorted flowers from the local shop and then sat and made little posies of 3-4 flowers, wrapped the stems in foil and then attached a small card with the poem on it.... also a note that I was researching people from the village and my email address. I placed one of these on each of the graves of people that I have in my tree.... which was a large percentage of the churchyard.

Something about going to a village and looking around and know that your ancestors were born there, played on those streets, worked on local farms and now rest peacefully in the churchyard.

I guess I am lucky as I live quite close to where my grandmother and grandfather were born and lived - but have not found a headstone for any grandparents, great or otherwise, or aunts/uncles, only cousins. I guess they couldnt afford it.

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 1 Mar 2008 11:45

Yes, it's a lovely poem Linda. I, too, have left a laminated copy of this on flowers taken to the graves of ancestors that I have found. I also keep a copy in my purse. It always gives me a lump in my throat when I read it. It is so appropriate for anyone doing family history.

Kath. x

Jacqui

Jacqui Report 1 Mar 2008 11:43

Linda

It is lovely isnt it. And what a great idea leaving it on graves - If only I could find some!

Linda in the Midlands

Linda in the Midlands Report 1 Mar 2008 11:35

I love this poem,Infact I've left a small laminated copy with flowers on any family graves I have managed to find, I'm sure any new members would appreciate it


Your tombstone stands amongst the rest neglected and alone,
The name and date have worn off the weather beaten stone.
It reaches out to all who care;it's now too late to mourn,
You did not know that I'd exist,You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood,in bone
Our hearts contract and beat a pulse entirely not our own.
Dear ancestor the place you filled some hundred years ago,
Spreads out amongst the ones you left who would have loved you so.
I wonder how you lived and loved,I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this place and come and visit you.