A GENEALOGIST CHRISTMAS By Pat Newhouse 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; For I am a genealogist and I had forgot The tree wasn't up and not a single gift was bought. While little children's heads were full of sugarplum thrills, I had spent the whole season looking for grandparents' wills, While others had fought the crowds to purchase their Christmas cheer, I had used my time to look for Granny's birthplace and year, But then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, That I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter, But was it old Santa I had come to expect, Not to bring happy gifts, but to wring my fool neck? He had a big red bag all slung over his back, But it looked more to me like a big mail sack. Toys he had for children, lots of candies and cookies too. Then he did a turnabout and said, "Now it's time for you." Then he pulled out a package, seemed funny-shaped to me, "My gift to you," he said, "A branch of your own family tree," There were all the missing links I had tried so hard to find. The documents and pictures too; it was a genealogical gold mine! As he started to leave, I gave him a big hug. He'd made the merriest Christmas ever for this humble genie bug. Off to his waiting reindeer and up and away he flew, Saying, "Merry Christmas to all and a good hunting to you!" Sue McAlister http://homepages.about.com/tomssue/mcalisterpainterbickhartfamily/ Administrator for: PA-PITTSBURGH and PA-WESTMORELAND-HISTORIC Administrator for: BALLES, ECKER, KELLAWAY, KELLOWAY, MCCALLISTER, MCALLISTER, SKELLY, PAINTER, PAYNTER Administrator for: Adoption, Mystery, Horror, Stay-At-Home-Moms, M-W- C, Nost-TV, Palm-Gen and Westie --- Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.307 / Virus Database: 168 - Release Date: 12/12/2001