Description
This book is being written to supplement any other historical accounts of my family ancestry. As is the case with all family trees, they branch off in many different directions. My father's mother's side, the Rowell side of the equation, has a very detailed record which goes back to the late 15th century. My quest is to not only assist in going further back if possible to do so, but to also give a more detailed account of some of the people who are listed in this historical record. While some records currently exist, they don't necessarily tell a story or give the context of the lives lived.
While this effort will result in a book, which is major addition to any existing documents, this book is not intended to be a biography of family members. It is intended to provide more specific detail on certain members of our family tree and capture the essence of their lives for future generations to learn about.
While I will reference the beginnings of the Waite, Rowell, Keepers, and Michael clans as far back as we now know about, the intent of this work is to capture the people from this lineage in more detail that lived during my lifetime. While there may be another supplement to this research after this book is published, it is more likely that someone else will need to add to this research after I am gone.
As I contemplated the writing of this book, a primary consideration was to honor those that filled my life with love and joy for many years. As I contemplated how to best honor their memory besides thinking of them each day, I began to consider the question - who remembers us when we are gone? Certainly, the rich, famous, and powerful have plenty of historical accounts, videos, and pictures to recall their lives long after they have left this earth. But, what of the fine people that do not get as much publicity? Who remembers them after the last person to know of them passes from this life? The simple answer is no one. Unless there is something left behind to provide to a distant relative interested in learning more about their family ancestry, such knowledge and legacy is gone with the wind. While perhaps a pessimistic perspective, and I am a glass half full kind of person, I felt a more detailed supplement to the historical records which already exist is a good pathway to not only remember those so dear, but also to honor their memory for decades, perhaps centuries to come.