I have heard
stories about my family as far back
as I can remember. They
were passed down from generation to generation,
embellished and edited as is often the case with oral
histories. I tried to remember what I was told but
often failed to retain all the information. So, in the
early 1980's, I set about the task of collecting
stories and photographs. I
soon realized, however, that I had hit a dead end.
Anything before my great grandfather's generation was
a blur and there seemed to be no way to go
back any further.
Then, in the summer of 2005, I made an
amazing discovery. The England Census
records for 1861-1901, the England and WalesCivil Registration Index and many other
genealogical resources had been placed online. As
well, many people around the world were publishing
their genealogies and family histories on the World
Wide Web.So, I pulled all
my notes from twenty years ago out of their boxes and
resumed my research, easily uncovering more
information than I ever thought possible. The next
discovery was even more remarkable. Thanks to the
World Wide Web I discovered that there were other
members of my family, people I had never heard of
before, descended within
other branches of the family tree,
who also claimed George William Tanner as their
ancestor. They in turn led me to other living
descendents and, before long, the blur began to
resolve into
a much clearer image.
Severalmonths later,
the journey has only just begun. There
is still much to be learned and many unanswered
questions. However, I felt that it was time to take
the next step. So, taking all the data in hand, I
began to piece together a retelling of my family's
story. The purpose was four-fold. First, dry facts and
scattered recollections can communicate only a limited
and even confusing story. What was needed was a
narrative set in the larger context of the history
which these people lived and breathed. By so doing,
their lives, I hoped, would come clearer and the dates
and sparse data surrounding them would make more
sense. Second, I felt that, by
disclosing all the
information I had, others would be better able to fill
in the gaps in my knowledge and correct any mistaken
assumptions. Third, the writing of our history could
become a project in which we all could
all participate and from
which we all could all benefit. It is my hope that others
will add to what I have started.
And finally, I hoped that other family members, yet
undiscovered, might find their way to these pages and
join in the common project.
This history is
a work in progress and will always be so. It will
probably take years before we can say that we have
created the most complete and accurate family history
possible. However, it is a start.RCT
This family history is a work in progress,
open to corrections and additions. Your
comments
