I have been gathering information about my family for years. I have known dates and places, but my ancestors are in a big part unknown to me. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, however, it just opens more questions.
This is a picture of my great grandfather, William Thomas Beals. I never knew him personally. I can look at this picture and see hints of the faces of other family members.
The picture to the right is of my paternal grandfather, Charlie Bertie Vance, his brother, Luther Monroe Vance and some of their cousins. We get hints from their pictures about their lives and their interests. Stories to go with those faces would be so very valuable. Once in a while, I hear one their names mentioned, but I am hungry to know more about them.
I've occasionally heard my mother speak of Dad's grandmother, Julia Emeline McClurd, but to me, she was no more than a name and a few facts about her life. This picture to the left makes her more "alive" to me. Although the image is not really clear the photograph sends my imagination racing. What kind of life did she lead? What was she known for.
When some think of pioneers, they think of the Mormons that came across the plains in covered wagons and handcarts and eventually to the valley where our family grew up. This couple came from North Carolina with other families who left the southern states in search of religious freedom. They came in trains. Some of their families stayed in the San Luis Valley, and some moved on to settle in Arizona.
My wife has inherited some of her mother's many photo albums. It is fun to go through the pages of the old albums in an attempt to get to know her better. My favorite is one of her climbing a clothesline pole wearing a dress. It gives us a glimpse of her tom-girl need to compete with her brothers.
I love listening to the stories that always are shared when we get together as a family. They help to engrave in my mind and on my heart memories of the tender relationships that exist in our family.
