I believe, understanding our ancestors walk through history, empowers our lives today.

1918 was a momentous year in history; it culminated with the end of WW1. This became known as the Great War.

In January 1918, the American president, Woodrow Wilson, mooted a world peace plan.

This time 100 years ago (June), the war was still engaged.

My German grandfather Ernst was a captive of the Allies in France as an internee. He did not know if his family had survived; if he would ever see his English born wife and French-born children, again.

His wife, my father’s mother, by a bizarre twist of fate, had ended up as a refugee in Munich, Germany. Amalia lived with her in-laws, forced by the Germans to work in a munitions factory. With starvation rampant, Munich was a violent city. Amalia’s only thoughts were to keep her children alive. They had already endured so much, on the refugee road from France to Germany. Memories of her hometown London, and happy days living in Versailles with her husband began to dim.

My English grandmother Agnes was my mother’s mother. A widow, she lived in Hamburg Germany with three children. It was a battle to feed them, as food was hard to come by. She yearned to see her family in London. Her sister Laura, whose German was with a strong cockney accent, worked in the local hospital. Arriving in Germany before the war, the sisters travelled to live with loved ones and start a new life.

My ancestor’s fortitude, faith, and hope helped them through this dark age.
They are my light in the darkness when the going gets tough.

You can read about their journey through The Great War, in my first book
Mizpah Cousins: Love, life and perilous predicaments during the Great War era.


If the going is tough for you at the moment, I am reaching out and sending you every best wish. May joy, be just around the corner.

And for those whose armistice has come, I rejoice with you.



19 thoughts on “I believe, understanding our ancestors walk through history, empowers our lives today.

  1. It’s fascinating seeing how people lived and the twists of fate they received. Also how they fought in the tough times for their family, even when it must have seemed hopeless. Both world wars had seismic repercussions for so many families, it seems incomprehensible to imagine how things would have turned out had there been (relative) peace.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I agree with you. Thank you for your interest. I believe in the concept of genetic memory, so I feel their experiences have shaped my reaction to life. Understanding my ancestors journey, has helped me understand myself.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. I just recently had my dna test done and have started a family tree. Literally from scratch and so far have discovered so many interesting things about my ancestors. I agree with you in that I have a better understanding about my ‘make up’. It all makes so much sense now 🙂 Thanks for a great blog.

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    1. how interesting, Grady — I’ve heard that sometimes people learn things that they don’t want to learn — ie illigitimacies, etc LOL Margaret, sounds like you’re cooking up another great post 🙂

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      1. I tested with Ancestry and 23 and me + medical. Both came up with the same percentages for ancestry which is good 🙂 and the medical report has been interesting to read. I have also found some really close relatives along the way. So all in all a good experience 🙂

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    1. If you remember your mums stories, it’s worth writing them down. I feel aural history, gives an insight into the past, that humanises the bare facts. It adds colour to social and economic history. Thank you for your comment and interest.

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  3. If you are not familiar with Ruth Gruber, I should be happy to introduce you. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Gruber

    I met many survivors living in NYC, the mid-west and even in California. One couple, Manya and Meyer Kornblit were written about by their son, Michael. His book, Until We Meet Again, told some of their story. I remember watching films from Michael’s travels for documentation. I remember the huge meal we served to Chaim, Manya’s brother who was believe to be killed in the camps but Michael found him living in England. Oh, the stories I have heard…

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  4. Thanks for liking my blog!

    I’m just starting to find the stories of my family, and have posted my first profile of my Stressed Out Great Grandmother.

    While I’m not sure I believe in “genetic memory,” I do believe that our parents were shaped by their parents life events, and their grandparents, and so on. So in a way, I was shaped by her even though she died the year I was born. I know that’s where part of my strength comes from.


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