Family Treasures and a Great Honour
Most of the time when I start to write a blog post it’s based on an “oh, that’s interesting” moment. This post is different in that it’s entirely personal and I just wanted to share with those who will understand.
I travelled to my home town today to catch up with my Dad and see an uncle I haven’t seen in years. This uncle is the custodian of the family papers on the Young and Cowling side of my family and we agreed to meet at his house so that I could finally see the Cowling family Bible in person (I’ve been relying on some slightly out of focus photos all these years) and take some photographs of both the Bible and any other documents he could find. You, reader, will understand my excitement at this trip, not knowing what treasures were ahead.
What unfolded was a delightful day absorbing reminiscences of my father and his brother, looking through old photos I had never seen before and talking about their parents and grandparents “remember how they said Grandma was furious with them for spending over £1000 on a house!?”
But I didn’t get any photographs on my phone in the end. I’ve been handed the whole folder to take away and scan properly in my own time. I NEVER ask for this – I would much rather be allowed to see and take copies of anything than create suspicion I’m about to do a runner with the family treasures – so I feel honoured to have been trusted to take them away. There are old certificates I already have (but, again, poor copies) and all sorts of other bits and pieces, including a story for another time about my Grandma appearing on a beach in Hythe in a racy swimsuit 30 years ahead of her time.
What had me emotional, however, is this. I took no photos of the family Bible that began me on my Cowling family history journey. Names some of you will recognise from other blogs (and coursework case studies!). In a moment of ceremony my uncle presented me with the Cowling family Bible to keep as my own and pass on to future generations.
Words failed me.
