Last year saw not just the death of my Mom, but also the sudden death of an Uncle and the unexpected demise of an old family friend. She was in her eighties, and had led a rather secretive life. She never married and apparently lived off the proceeds of a life insurance policy ceded to her by my great Grandfather, or so the story goes.
She was born in Canada to a single mother. Her birth certificate is missing, presumed hidden forever. The man the family pointed to as her father was never heard of again. The rumours persist to this day that her real father was my great Grandfather.
I'm not sure. For one thing, if she knew she actually my Father's cousin, why didn't she say so? And for another thing, if she did benefit from that life insurance policy, then surely the direct descendants of my great Grandfather should have a claim against it, too.
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| Cosmos, July 2012, Lesley Beeton |
Whatever the story, it has been debated at many family gatherings, and we are no further enlightened. She left me several boxes and an ancient trunk of photo's and diaries in her will. I was bemused to say the least. Some beneficiaries got money. I have a garage full of junk.
But of course, one man's junk is another man's treasure and I know that as custodian of these items, they should be protected. I just can't bring myself to go through it all, eighty years of history in a box.