My wishes are usually small, inconsequential, of no great importance. They would not impact the world, the community, the neighborhood, or even my living family. That's so for my wish today. I wish - oh, how I wish! - that I could find a published obituary for Elizabeth Gerner. It wouldn't need to be front page news -- just a tiny few lines would do -- but since I'm wishing, I might as well wish big. My wished-for obituary would include the information below.
Elizabeth [last name - not included here so someone can't add misinformation to a family tree], wife of Christian, died yesterday, [day and date], in [location]. Elizabeth was born in [town/city], [country], on [date]. She and Christian married on [date and location]. They had [number] children, [names of children], before immigrating to Butler County, Pennsylvania, on [date], where they settled with their young family. [Number] more children were born to them while living in [name of town].
Elizabeth's parents were [father's and mother's names including mother's maiden name]. Her siblings included [names].
Surviving Elizabeth are [names of children with spouses' names along with living locations], [and anyone else of importance, especially family members].
[Some detail about Elizabeth's personality, character, traits, etc.]
That's this Wednesday's wish. In the scheme of worldly events, it's nothing. To my family history research, it would be a great step forward.
But you know what they say: "If wishes were horses...."
Image courtesy of Image Chef.
--Nancy.
Copyright © 2014 Nancy Messier. All Rights Reserved.
Love it Nancy and hope your wish comes true! I also love the newspaper image and its front page headline - how did you create it?.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dara. The image is from imagechef.com. It offers a selection of images with the option to add your own words. There are several categories with a dozen or so images in each category. To be honest, there are only a few of their images I would use on a family history blog but this one seemed perfect for this post.
DeleteHi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteA very creative post!
I too am curious about how you made the newspaper headline image. I could see using such a tool myself. How about a post on creating newspaper headline images for the uninitiated such as Dar and me? ;-)
Thank you, John. I told Dara that the newspaper images comes from imagechef.com. The site has a selection of images in which you can type the words you choose, then save the image and use it how you will. Most of the images are fairly modern - I found just a few that I would use with a blog post about my ancestors. I don't know how often they add new images.
DeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol.
DeleteWhat about "and she was predeceased by her children [name and name] who died [date]...
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Oh, Elizabeth, how could I have forgotten that sentence! That information would add greatly to my research, and I would add location of death, too. Thanks!
DeleteOh if only..........I have some of the same kinds of wishes!
ReplyDeleteI suppose most of us do, Michelle. I just keep working away but in the back of my mind, the wishes continue to grow. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.
DeleteSo Clever Nancy, Wishing you success.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Renée. I'm hoping!
DeleteLook at you being funny AND creative AND sharing a fun little site for creating a headline! But I agree -- this is NOT too much to wish for.
ReplyDeleteWell, the funny and creative parts just happened because I was cleaning out old emails. Maybe someday, somewhere, a newspaper will appear online with an obituary. Chances are it won't give me all the information I want but it at least names Christian as Mary's husband, I'd be thrilled.
DeleteHello Nancy, all your posts are so beautiful written & I learn something every time I visit. I have my fingers & toes crossed for you – if we all wish hard enough your wishes might come true. Barbara.
ReplyDelete