> ONLY THE MEN HAD BABIES > > My ancestor William had children > All named, & with birth dates & places. > But his wife is not even mentioned; > Of her there are not even traces. > Surely she must have existed, > Was born, was a child, & had dreams. > Grew up & learned how to keep house, > Was a person---but nameless, it seems. > She had parents, & someplace, a home. > Her brothers are listed no doubt. > But she was only a girl > So not really worth telling about. > She was half my ancestor's heritage; > Without her he wouldn't have life. > His genes are half hers, > but I find She was only his father's wife. > Once a girl was first "dau", then was "wife." > She belonged to her father, till married, > And then she belonged to her husband, > And beside him, unnamed, she was buried. > How awful to think MY descendants > Might search for a name for me, > Be unable to find my identity, > And wonder just who I might be. > > Dr. Dorothy Branson ( Thanks to Orange County California Genealogical Society > Quarterly)