All of us in our time must have looked at
those worthy publications: "My Ancestor was
a Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor", etc. 1
am beginning to think there is a real need for an
addition to the series. 1 have, therefore, done
some lateral thinking and hit upon the ingenious
idea of an additional index - one might even
suggest a "spirit guide". My sense of
duty calls me to help those frustrated
researchers who have spent night after night
burning the midnight oil vainly searching through
every parish record they can find looking for
that elusive ancestor only to face a blank wall
at every turn. What I have in mind would appeal
to everybody. How about My Ancestor was a
Heathen? No, don't snigger and laugh behind your
hand, I am serious. Of course 1 don't mean those
far off ancestors who ran around with woad to
keep out the cold or who settled friendly
disputes with clubs and shields and who shouted
down at their neighbours with war cries. No, that
would be ridiculous. What 1 have in mind is not
any old list. It must conform to our usual run of
ancestors, just like you and me. The publication
should list people like wizards, witches,
magicians, warlocks, shamans, witch doctors
and the general run of helpful people who must
have lived in every community. There would be a
list of those who organised covens, where they
took place, full details of what went on, how
they were dressed (or undressed for that matter).
In other words, how ordinary people let their
hair down and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Just
imagine after a frustrating search for a long
lost ancestor, you finally do the obvious and
turn to this publication and there is the very
entry you have been looking for, together with
all the necessar.y details, including references.
You then sit back and conjure up a picture and
pleasantly imagine yourself joining in. It would
make the search entirely worthwhile.
There could also be details of burnings,
hangings (even those who were drawn and quartered),
and the prophecies or curses they made.
Is there anybody out there who would be
willing to join Scully and Mulder and make a
start on just such an index?
