Ancestors are fascinating people. You have them. I have them. Each ancestor has a story and, from their stories, we arrive and write our own stories to pass on. These people are our kinfolk, but then, there are shirttail kin. These are the people who are related to our relatives and who narrowly miss being directly related.
I’ve always been fascinated by past generations. Finding out more about how they lived, what they considered important, how they spent their days is an engrossing study. There was great-great grandma Lydia, a widow who made a living from her farm, working hard during the day and writing letters or painting at night. Going way, way back was the Irish man who married into the Cherokee tribe. And the long-ago grandfather who made the trip from England to America by boat, winning the appreciation of the captain along the way. A great-great-grandfather who fought in the Civil War, a great-grandfather who made the trek from Georgia to Indian Territory, another great-grandfather who worked in the lead mines of Wisconsin or Ohio– on and on, men and women who had their own stories.
I’ve written about Darcy Campbell’s ancestry in the last two Darcy and Flora books, Best Left Buried, and Grave Heritage. It all began when a foundation was being dug for Darcy and Flora’s new house. Many years ago, someone had thrown a murder weapon into an old well. When Darcy discovered who had tossed the gun and why, a whole new page of family lay before them. Her ancestors were not who she thought. Was it better to have left that gun in the well and been forever oblivious to the struggles of her grandmother? You’ll have to judge.
Now, I’m thinking maybe we should take a peek at Ned McNeil’s ancestors. I’m sure there’ll be some puzzles there. Should they be brought to light? What would Ned think about them? What would you think about them?
For mysteries with an extra shiver and a whole lot of puzzling ancestors, take a look at these cozies on Amazon.com.
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