Homework WE 6/7/20 - Christina

[Shelley Hansen]

What an intriguing writing challenge you've set us this week, Maureen and Neville! I decided to write about someone whose life fascinates me and who I would like to have known. In my family tree there are at least two strong and determined women. I've already written about one of them - my mother's grandmother Emilie who at the age of 19, sailed alone to Australia after losing all her family to cholera in Germany. This has given me the chance to write a poem is about the other lady - Christina, my father's maternal great-great grandmother, who by all accounts was an enterprising business woman - quite an achievement for the times in which she lived. I reckon she is a pretty cool chick!

CHRISTINA (1797-1873)
(c) Shelley Hansen 4/7/20

They ask, "Who do you think you are?" So famous people try
to trace their long-lost relatives, to find a reason why
the traits they see within themselves have passed down through the years -
uncovering within their search, lives filled with joys and tears.

And so I thought I'd shake the spreading branches of my tree
to find the men and women who were part of shaping me.
Of course, I found some blokes through whom a streak of mischief ran,
but also, sterling women like my father's great-great-gran.

Christina, born in Georgian times on Scotland's Orkney Isles,
lived through the nineteenth century, along with all its trials.
By 1821 this single girl had learned a trade
and listed as "straw plaiter", found the means to get things made.

She wed her sweetheart William - she was thirty years of age -
and in the field of business, turned an enterprising page;
for William was a cobbler, making sturdy shoes and fine,
and good results come often when two willing hearts combine.

The couple had four children, with a son named for his Dad,
but then an early passing left Christina grieved and sad,
for William died at forty-six - their youngest child just eight.
Christina faced a future that was bleak to contemplate.

But she, a born survivor, gathered threads and carried on.
She kept the business running, though her guiding hand was gone.
Now listed as "shoe binder", with another skill she'd learned -
residing in Stromness and trading with respect she'd earned.

Young Will grew up and married. Soon a babe was on the way,
yet at this crucial point he made his mind up not to stay
but take his young and pregnant wife aboard a sailing ship
and make his way to Queensland. It would be a one-way trip.

They settled down in Ipswich where they worked to build a life,
and that's where Will is buried. So this Scotsman and his wife
began an Aussie dynasty that spread across this land
as sons and daughters married, and they watched their clan expand.

But what about Christina? She lived on till she was old
with stoic resignation as her children left the fold.
I'd like to think that though she missed her son with saddened heart,
he travelled with her blessing as he forged a brand new start.

I hope that her resilience has been passed down to me,
that I will face with fortitude events I've yet to see.
But when it comes to loving shoes - there's just one thing to say -
I have to buy another pair ... it's in my DNA!!

[Catherine Lee]

What a wonderful poem about another amazing, strong woman in your family, Shelley! This lady does sound very cool, as you say - and yes, it would indeed be brilliant if we could meet some of these ancestors! Stories such as these are always so fascinating, and your light-hearted ending was most unexpected and brought a smile, as you no doubt intended!

[Terry]

Wow Shelley

That's homework plus.

A trip back through time and well researched.
Very well written with the expertise I would expect of you, and you have told the story convincingly.

Regards

Terry

[Shelley Hansen]

Thank you so much Catherine and Terry! So pleased you enjoyed my trip down ancestry lane!

[Neville Briggs]

Good on you Shelley. It's wonderful that you have such a detailed information on your family history. You have something here to leave for the next generation to ponder.

[Neville Briggs]

Good on you Shelley. It's wonderful that you have such a detailed information on your family history. You have something here to leave for the next generation to ponder.

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks Neville. Always interesting to see how our forebears lived.

[Maureen K Clifford]

WOW! That's a story and a half and your relation buried here at Ipswich as well - small world isn't it. Now this one you should be entering into the Ipswich Poetry Feast - there's still time

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks Maureen!

Yes, I thought you'd like the Ipswich connection. Although Will is buried there, his wife Mary (nee Scarth) is not. Some of their family had moved to Victoria, and that's where Mary went to spend the last 6 years of her life after Will died in 1902. She is buried in Brighton, Victoria.

Their eldest son (also William Stokan) remained in Queensland. He married his cousin Grace Moodie (whose parents had also emigrated from Orkney) and they had 10 kids. Between 1891 and 1894 the family relocated from Ipswich to Toowoomba. Their sixth child Beatrice May married Robert Nelson in 1911. They were my grandparents and my Dad was their eldest child, born in Toowoomba.

When I was young I was always fascinated by my Dad's love for shoes. He had more pairs than Mum did, and they were always fine quality. I certainly take after him in that respect. When I first read about Christina, I reckoned I'd found the answer!!

Cheers
Shelley