In recent posts, there was comment about the lack of “evidence” of our ancestors, particularly those who came from a life of poverty. Other than some facts found on birth and death certificates and the census, it is difficult to find anything else that would tell a story of a life, “put the meat on the bones” . There is always the hope of finding war records, medals, family bibles, photographs and so on.
Although we do not have a family bible, nor has there ever been one that I know of, I am pleased to say I have my own bible, given to me on my Christening in 1959. It doesn’t give much information – just my name and date of the Christening, but it is something I can pass down to my children.
My Bible
I am researching my children’s father’s family, the Kents, and recently I was given a family bible to keep for my children so that it can be passed down the family. It is not terribly old – it was given to my children’s great-great grandfather and great-great-grandmother on the occasion of their marriage in 1898 and has some of the family tree inside.
Kent Family Bible
Kent Family Tree
There is much now to be added to the family tree in the bible, but I hesitate to add it in as my hand writing is terrible and I would hate to spoil the lovely old bible. Perhaps I will just type it out on paper and slip it inside.
It was exciting to be given the bible and then to find the family tree inside. There were a few bits and pieces also inside including a couple of certificates, a newspaper cutting which I believe was from 1934 about the 24th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King George V. Also inside was a material postcard (for want of a better description) of RMS Marama. I found some information on the ship and it seems to have some relationship to the Titanic. I can also find some passenger lists. However, I have not been able to work out the connection as yet. I believe William Long and Dorcas Dunn, the original owners of the bible, met on board a ship en route to Melbourne. But the dates don’t match up so I doubt that has anything to do with their first meeting plus it is a Royal Mail Ship. Looks like I have some more digging to do.
I feel honoured to have had the bible passed to me for safe keeping until my own children have a home of their own where they can treasure it and keep it safe. While I have it here, they can enjoy looking at it when they visit without the responsibility!
lynnie57 
Jul 18, 2013 @ 09:44:30
What fabulous treasures to have and to pass onto your children. I remember my mother having a cloth something like the RMS Marama one you have. I don’t remember the name of the ship, or how she came by it. I just remember it lived in a box of similar “treasures.”
Aug 06, 2013 @ 10:29:55
Oh to have a time machine to go back and find out!!!
Aug 06, 2013 @ 10:32:07
Wouldn’t that be wonderful! I’d love to meet some of my ancestors; some very strong, resourceful women I greatly admire.
Aug 06, 2013 @ 10:52:05
Wouldn’t it! I think you are off to Scotland soon?
Aug 06, 2013 @ 10:54:09
Yes; in about four weeks. Have so many things I want to do, I think I might have to prioritise — or I’ll end up running myself ragged.
Aug 06, 2013 @ 11:00:42
How exciting! I bet you are busy. I am going in 2015 with friends who also research their family history. Although John and I are heading off in our caravan for 4 months at Christmas, I am already planning the Scotland trip.
I hope you blog while you are away as I love to follow. I have had no time to do anything for a few months now. It is so frustrating. I always seem to be bogged down with school work. I need to prioritise too.
Have a great time in Scotland and I hope you find lots of answers to some of your questions.
Aug 06, 2013 @ 11:06:53
Thanks for your kind wishes.
Four months away; sounds like bliss! Though I know what you mean about wanting to plan the “big trip.” I’m hoping to carry on blogging while I’m away — I’ll have to practice using the iPad before I go.
Hopefully you’ll get a bit of blogging time once school’s finished for summer and you’ll be all relaxed and on holiday. Can you do “mobile” blogging?
Anyway, I’m looking forward to some more family stories when you do get done time.
🙂
Aug 06, 2013 @ 11:13:06
Thanks Su. I will take my laptop to blog but a lot of the teachers at school love their Ipad.
A teacher friend of mine (also an artist) has just started a blog yesterday and I have been looking at it. She has also inspired me to get organised and get writing. If you get a chance do look at her blog – it’s on WordPress and her name is Miriam Shilling.
Hope you get all sorted for your trip. Are your boys going with you or just you?
Aug 06, 2013 @ 11:17:28
Thanks Lynn. I’ll definitely look at Miriam’s blog.
I’m working through my to-do list; probably easier because it’s just me. The big T gets back from Melbourne a couple of days before I leave and the smaller T has A level exams a couple of weeks after I get back so my trip’s sandwiched in-between.
Aug 06, 2013 @ 11:44:30
Lucky you! You will have a ball.
Feb 09, 2014 @ 08:28:19
Hello Lynnie,
Can I just say what a fantastic amount of research and work you have done. I am Peter Kent – the third last entry on the ‘Kent Family Tree’ of the family bible.
I don’t think I have ever met your husband, who would be my cousin – I have noticed that the Kent’s generally go their separate ways.
I met my ‘Uncle Frank’ once, when Harold died he flew to Melbourne. I remember him as being an incredible story teller warm and friendly. I would have been 6 or 7 at the time and I remember that he asked my why I didn’t wave to him when he flew over our house on the plane – exactly the type of question I would expect from a Kent now that I am older and wiser. Anyway, not wanting to disappoint him I remember waving at every plane I saw for the next couple of months – just in case.
___
About the embroidery of RMS Marama, I don’t know if there is any family connection to this – William Long was born in Australia I believe. One story that my father tells me is that Harold Kent from time to time claimed that he used to embroider ships onto cushions. Perhaps the RMS Marama was a prop in a tall story. I have noticed that with the Kents it is not always easy to know where reality ends and ‘the embroidery’ begins – but the end result is that the stories are always a lot of fun.
Again thanks for putting this all together.
Peter
Feb 09, 2014 @ 08:30:27
By the way – I don’t believe that Harold Kent ever did any embroidery in his entire life.
Feb 14, 2014 @ 01:07:53
Thanks so much for your lovely stories! I am divorced from Greg but I am in touch with Janis Kent, his sister. She gave me a lot of the information which was done by Brian I think. Is he your father?
Frank’s wife, Rona, is still alive at 84 and remembers you.
Apr 02, 2014 @ 12:19:25
Please contact me at reddevi5@gmail.com My father was Harold Kent’s baby brother and the last born of Charles Kent and Charlotte Ida Elizabeth Kent nee De Vos. My father’s name was Cyril John Shurland Kent but he only ever was known as Jack except on official documents. Frank Kent who married Rona was my father’s nephew and as a sailor often called into our home at Cronulla Harold and Agnes Visited occasionally accompanied by Coral and Brian. Harold and Jack’s sister Kate visited us twice at Cronulla from Canada.
Jack married Thelma Annie May Kent and had four children whose details I can supply & my mother, Thelma used to write to Frank’s wife, Rona but lost touch and also used to write to Frank & Rona’s daughtet, Janis. I would like to renew the contact with the Kents if any of you are out there.