Don, I thought you and Rita might appreciate this poem:
KC

The Census Taker
Author: unknown

It was the first day of census, and all through the land
The pollster was ready...a black book in his hand
He mounted his horse for a long dusty ride
His book and some quills were tucked close by his side.

A long winding ride, down a road barely there
Toward the smell of fresh bread wafting up through the air.

The woman was tired, with lines on her face
And wisps of brown hair she tucked back into place
She gave him some water .. as they sat at the table
And she answered his question .. the best she was able.

He asked of her children .. yes, she had quite a few
The oldest was twenty, the youngest not quite two
She held up a toddler with cheeks round and red
His sister, she whispered, was napping in bed

She noted each person who lived there with pride
And she felt the faint stirrings of the wee one inside
He noted the sex, the color, the age
The marks from the quill soon filled up the page

At the number of children, she nodded her head
And saw her lips quiver for the three that were dead

The places of their births she tried to recall
Was it Alabama? or Maryland? or Georgia? or not
They came from Ireland, of that she was clear
But she wasn't quite sure just how long they'd been here

They spoke of employment, of schooling and such
They could read some and write some .. though really not much.

When the questions were answered, his job there was done
So he mounted his horse and he rode toward the sun
We can imagine his voice loud and clear
"May God bless you all for another ten years"

Now picture a time warp ... it's now you and me
As we search for the people on our family tree
We squint at the census and scroll down so slow
As we search for that entry from long long ago

Could they only imagine on that long ago day
That the entries they made would effect us this way?
If they knew, would they wonder, at the yearning we feel
And the Searching that makes them so increasingly real

We can hear if we listen, the words they impart,
Through their blood in our veins and their voices in our heart.

Thanks,K.C.,we both enjoyed reading your post.

As always,I do appreciate your contribution to the Connection.

Great message KC.

Perhaps, for me, one of the greatest benefits is the knowledge that we hold the key to tomorrow's history in our hands, but once created, we are only students. We can't change it, only learn from it, good or bad.

Regardless of what took place 10, 100, or 1,000 years ago, even if we were directly responsible for some of it, it's done, never to be modified.

The ability to remember, uncover, re-discover, what circumstances put us here, now, is the way forward. Looking back, can move us ahead, I think.

I too find it fascinating to learn facts about people who are connected to me by bloodlines from times long gone.

If I live long enough, I'll devote much more time to that project, in order to make that discovery easier from my grandchildren and their grandchildren.

Sorry, end of philosophizing for today.

Take care, All.