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Leaving her family tree alone, Arlana continued to work on Jorken's, excited when she received a message from his grandmother's niece in Wales. They chatted for hours, Kathleen sharing pictures and facts of Jorken's past. Some of his attitude now made sense. Love him? No - but she began to care as she understood him better. She couldn't wait to show Jorken pictures of his ancestors.
He was still at work, so she sent him the pictures on his Facebook messenger along with a description of who was in each picture. Arlana's favourite was one of a man standing beside a horse-drawn plow in a field, the picture faded by time. How incredible to have a picture of your great, great grandfather!
It came as no surprise that she who used to feel most peaceful walking among graves should feel most at home among the shadows of the dead.
****
ARLANA WAS IN FOR A rude awakening the following morning. She leaned on the kitchen table watching Aziel write his letters, waiting for Jorken to mention her message. She didn't have to wait long.
"I want you to stop doing my family tree now. Just f'n stop! I don't want to see those pictures."
"I thought you'd like to see such old pictures. That picture of the horse and plow is over a hundred years old. You always like watching the history channel..."
Jorken didn't let her finish. "I warned you to back the *@! off! Don't you ever talk to me about my family again! Who gives a *#!?! I wasn't even a thought back then, so why should I care? If it isn't about me or my parents I don't give a rat's ass. It has nothing to do with me, so I don't give a shit. Why should you care either about all of this? I think this ancestry thing is a scam."
Arlana clenched her teeth, bracing herself against his hate-filled tirade, "It's important to me, but I won't touch your family tree again."
She emailed Jorken's relative not long after, "He told me to stop doing his family tree. I really appreciate everything you did to help me with his side. It was so nice to meet you."
She didn't have long to wait for a reply.
I can't even begin to imagine how hard it must be for him to have lost both his parents. I still have my mother. He must be enduring so much pain. It would be good for him to reach out to the family. I have one relative who is coming to Wales for the first time this summer. He is bringing his mother's ashes. It will be hard on him to be sure, but it is closure.
It was wonderful to meet you as well. Please keep in touch.
~ Kathleen ~
Arlana's fingers lingered on the keyboard. Something good had come out of it - she had gained a friend.
****
ARLANA SPENT HER FREE time examining her mother's pictures for clues and it had yielded results. She located a church her family had attended once when she was six years old and learned the name of the park all her childhood pictures had been taken in. For Arlana, who needed any ray of hope, it was a great start.
Excited, she emailed her parents each of her discoveries. No reply. Arlana didn't let it get to her. She circled the relatives she knew well hoping one would have a record of their parents, and then it happened.
A marriage record.
Granny had been wrong. Her parents hadn't come over on the Mayflower. That had been totally unlikely anyway but was further proof the family never really cared to know their history - couldn't be bothered to listen to the stories all these years.
Arlana had heard for years her great grandfather had come from Scotland's highlands. She had been so proud of her Scottish heritage, but now she stared at her family tree in disbelief. This couldn't be the same person, could it? She wracked her brain trying to remember if her great grandfather had a telltale Scottish accent. No, he didn't. Could it really be that he'd been born in Canada? There was only one way to find out. She couldn't ask her family. They either didn't know anything or refused to talk to her. A dead end.
Taking a deep breath, Arlana messaged a cousin located through the genealogy website:
"Hi. I know you don't know me, but I'm James Dauysum's great-granddaughter. I just started working on my family tree and am not sure if James on your family tree is the same as mine. Would you be able to clarify? Thank you so much."
Within the hour, she had a reply:
Oh wow! It is so exciting to meet you! I'm your cousin on your great grandfather's wife's side.
Yes, it is him! They were married on April 4, 1925, in Manitoba.
I have no records of James after his wedding. This is a wonderful surprise!
~ Your cousin, Heather ~
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly Heather! This is amazing! I was hoping to find long lost relatives.
I'm stumped with this lineage. I've been searching for records in Scotland for over a week with no luck. The only records I found for him are here in Canada. My grandmother always said he was fresh off the boat from Scotland. This Canadian connection has my jaw on the floor. Well, to be honest, I don't remember him even having a Scottish accent, but so many years have passed, I don't really remember.
~ Arlana ~
Seconds later, Heather replied.
"Hello Arlana, this is funny! My grandmother always said we were Scottish too - but records indicate our ancestors came from Northern Ireland. In fact, they lived in the same house for over 600 years! No, my dear cousin, we are very Irish!
So tell me about yourself. I can't believe I'm talking with a long lost cousin. Incredible!
~ Heather ~
"Irish? This is wow... I had no idea all these years," remembering how she had wanted so badly to marry an Irishman when her family attended the Presbyterian church - anything to be accepted. She was Irish all this time? What a game-changer. "I have a four-year-old son, Aziel and currently live in Westport. Where are you from?"
~ Arlana ~
I lived in Ottawa for years. After I married my husband, I moved to Texas. Do you see your grandparents often? James' daughter?
~ Heather ~
Small world! I moved from Ottawa six years ago. My grandmother is still living, but we are estranged. She lives forty-five minutes away but none of my family are all that close. Life is so short, I'm hoping that by doing the family tree and reaching out to relatives for information, it will bring us closer together. Here's hoping. My family, for the most part, doesn't have the same interest in our family history that I do. It's hard getting information because they weren't interested all these years or kept in contact with family, so I really appreciate your help.
~ Arlana ~
My mother is the same. She doesn't think it is important. Odd. Well, you aren't alone.
I'm really glad you are reconnecting with your cousins. Baby steps add up, so don't get discouraged.
Our side is very close. We are close-knit for sure - we always have been. You should see our family reunions!
Actually, our mutual cousin is turning ninety years old this weekend. He served in World War II so we are having a special celebration for him. I'd love for you and your little one to join us. You'd have a chance to meet the family. I'd love to have a fellow "Family Historian" pick brains with me. Our cousin, Mary, lives out your way. She'll be going by you anyway and can pick you up. I'll give her your contact information. I'm really looking forward to meeting you!
~ Heather ~
Arlana stared at the computer. It was all happening so fast! One moment desperately lonely and the next invited to a celebration for a cousin - a veteran. Unbelievable!
"Jorken!" Arlana didn't waste time filling him in.
Jorken rolled his eyes. "Fine. Go. It'll give me some peace and quiet."
Arlana couldn't believe her luck.
Please don't pinch me. I never want to wake up.