Where am I at?
The truth be known, I have no idea! Time, as we know it, seems to pass quickly. Is it just because I am getting older or because there’s too much going on in this crazy mixed-up world?
I look back at how this blog commenced – the seeds were sown in mid-December 2022 as part of a conversation. That conversation developed into encouragement from shall we say an Inspirer. They know who they are…
From a few words, everything developed. Conversation, listening, taking steps, moving forward, learning – all of this is going on… Do I have control? Probably not. Is this what is supposed to happen? Have I always been a scribe?
Is it to do with the future, the present or the past? Really, I have no idea what’s going on!
If someone had said to my younger self, many moons ago that I would be doing this type of writing, I would have laughed in their face. One of my High School English teachers inferred I would most likely find it hard to string two sentences together. They were highly critical. Maybe that’s why it has taken so long to do this…
Family History research has taken me to many corners of the world. I have met many different types of people from all walks of life. I remember sitting in a café across from the White House in Washington DC. I was having a conversation with a dark-skinned American woman. This was in 1976. At the time, all these white-skinned people were looking at me and staring. And, I had no idea why. Little did I realise me a white-skin talking to a dark-skin was very much frowned upon. Racism – in my face. Has it changed – NO!
What’s going on?
The song with this title was a protest song about the Vietnam war. It was performed by Marvin Gaye.
Change?
Looking to know, not much has changed in the world. So much violence, wars, riots, and mistreatment of minority groups – whilst those who hold the apron strings continue to abuse and trod on those struggling, whilst many profit from all of this corruption.
The Past.
Newspapers in the past reported a variety of issues that our ancestors would have encountered as many struggled to make ends meet.
I think of the Highland Clearances in Scotland. The miner riots in England. I don’t need to give dates or other details – these events are out there. Just do a Google search to find out more details, if you are not aware of them.
Our History.
When building our history via our ancestors, one wonders, if they asked the same question – What’s Going On?”
Have you asked yourself, how many times you could write these words in your family tree? I have thought about it many times:
Examples:
- The death of a mother giving birth.
- Then there are her children, left behind.
- What about the death of the breadwinner?
- Who will provide for the family?
- Children given away, stolen or died from some disease.
The list goes on and on…
What’s Going on? One question, so many answers. So much impact on so many lives.
Ponder on that for a while…
Ancestor Family 