Editor’s Note: Sarah’s Destiny was released in 2025
Tuesday 7 March 2023, is census day. For me, and every other genealogist a census a crucial link to the past and the way we trace our histories and discover those who are a part of us. As a case in point, I’d like you to meet Sarah.
Sarah lived during Queen Victoria’s reign and a bit beyond. She was the youngest of six girls and one boy, and the third Sarah in the family; the previous two had died young. Can you imagine what it must be like to lose a child?
In Sarah’s family, her mother lost four of her seven children, including their only son.
How do I know this? Because every ten years from 1841 when census records began, I can trace where she lived, her married status and who she lived with.
Unfortunately, infant death wasn’t uncommon, and when I discover such truths the mothering instinct in me comes out and my heart breaks for these women of our past.
In those times, another child was inevitable.
In keeping with the traditions, the next daughter (or son as the case may be) was named after the deceased infant. Such a naming pattern is fraught with difficulties for a genealogist. Faced with names and dates that don’t quite fit, finding the birth and death certificate for each of the previous children is necessary to continue, and sometimes the records are hit and miss. Can you imagine what it must be like to carry the weight of your previously deceased siblings and the hope of your parents’ expectations on your shoulders?
Sarah’s story became more intriguing as the hunt through census records and the discovery of numerous birth, marriage, death and baptismal records came to hand. The more I went digging, the more inspired I became. Sarah’s story began to reveal much more than I’d ever expected.
While there are still some search restrictions to protect the privacy of those still living, genealogy is about sleuthing, searching the available records for the true story behind the basic facts.
Sometimes, the sadness grows; other times there is hope and happiness to follow.
Sarah’s story brought more sadness, but also hope.
Is it any wonder these stories inspire me? I choose to write about fictional characters to protect the real families, but I don’t change the history. I find it fascinating. Do you have a family story that deserves to be told? I’d love to hear it.