DEDICATED TO CLARENCE AND IRENE SMITH
Almost two years ago, Bev and I started researching our family history. Neither of us had any idea of the amount of work that this would entail. With the vast amount of information we have amassed, I began to realize that it would be years before we could put the research into a printed body of work suitable for handing down to the rest of the family. With that in mind, I decided to start this website so other family members can share in the information, pictures and documents that we have uncovered. I wanted to give everyone -- children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws -- a chance to participate in this venture.
I firmly believe everyone that's lived on earth has a story - a unique, personal story - a story that deserves to be told. Some have lived long, full lives, others but a day, some taken in the prime of life, some very young, but they were here nevertheless -- they mattered. There are many "unknown" people recorded here. The long lists of unknown people may appear repetitive and unnecessary. My hope is that these ancestors will someday appear by name in our ongoing family history; it is my sincere hope that this labour of love will be continued on through the generations.
Each of us leaves their mark on this world and when we leave it, this mark has a ripple effect. We may no longer be seen, but our legacy remains. Paul Tsongas said:
“We are a continuum. Just as we reach back to our ancestors for our fundamental values, so we, as guardians of that legacy, must reach ahead to our children and their children. And we do so with a sense of sacredness in that reaching.”
Bev and I share that sense of sacredness and the importance of making the legacies of our ancestors known. Legacies of determination, hard work, honesty, loyalty, integrity of character, bravery and of faith even in the face of extreme persecution. We feel the spiritual aspect of these lives. We firmly believe that many of our loved ones and ancestors look down from above and make up part of that great cloud of witnesses that the apostle Paul speaks about in the Bible (Hebrews 12:1). We have seen and felt their spirits, we have heard their voices. We know this to be true.
We welcome you all to join us as we travel down through the years -- through ages past...
***This site will evolve as more information becomes available and as more family members contribute. To quickly see what new info has been added be sure to check out our "What's New" Page or click here.***