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'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.
The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."
Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.
And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.
Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.
While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.
When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.
And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!
"Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.
He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried! (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.
I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.
"While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."
"Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.
While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family history is Fun! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"
:-D
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I didn't write it, I found it on this website..........
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/historical/a/twas_the_night.htm
Some funny stuff, including the Intellectual's Christmas, which is far too long to post here!
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Could this happen to you ? :-)
I've been doing family history for 30 years
Diligently tracing my illustrious forebears
From Pidgeon Lake to Peterborough,Penrith to Penzance
My merry band of ancestors have led me quite a dance
There are Cooks from Kent,Guards from Gwent and Chimney Sweeps from Chester
There's even one daft fisherman lived all his life in Leicester
There's no one rich or famous,not even well to do
Though a second cousin twice removed once played in goal for Crewe
I've hunted record offices from Gillingham to Jarrow
The little grey cells of my mind would humble Hercule Poirot
I've deciphered bad handwriting that would shame a three year old
And brought the black sheep of the family, back into the fold
My bride of just 3 minutes I left standing at the church
As I nipped into the graveyard for a spot of quick research
Eventually I found an uncle sixty years deceased
That was far more satisfying than the silly wedding feast
After three weeks of wedded bliss my wife became despondent
She named the Public Record Office as the co-respondent
I did'nt even notice when she packed her bags and went
I was looking for a great granddads Will who died in Stoke on Trent
But now my 30 year obsession's lying in the bin
Last Tuesday week I heard some news that made me pack it in
T' was my darling mother whose not long for this earth
Casually informed me they adopted me at birth
also off the web-author unknown
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A step backwards is considered as progress by Genealogists.
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