Forward: Meet Angus
Angus G. Elliott was the original family historian who inspired this blog, and continues to be a part of the research today. My own interest in family history was sparked more than forty years ago when he dragged me around Newfoundland, through archives and old graveyards on the hunt for any tidbit that would bring life to the stories of our Elliott ancestors. More recently, my Dad handed over to me a compilation of over forty years of research. I know that his intention was to publish a book, but with all the mysteries left to solve and the histories still being written, we have chosen to share his information in a blog format so that it can continue to grow and evolve. We hope to add stories from other branches of our family trees, in time. But it seems most appropriate to begin this blog with the forward to the Elliott family history written by my father some time ago.
Lorry Elliott Vanden Dungen
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Unlike many famous writers I have no aspiration; however I do have a desire to see this book written. This desire I must contribute to the many generations of Elliotts that cry out from it's pages for recognition, to not be forgotten.
If I could make reference to pages of history, to bear witness of their many endearing feats, their struggles and joys, their experience of life, then I would gladly relinquish the task. But alas there is not. At best the fate of centuries of ancestry and their toils and aspirations have long since been trampled in the dust. May they rest in peace?
I hope that my meager skills as a writer can do justice to the sacrifices and dreams of each and every soul that dwelled before me.
After 40 years of research into their background, I sit here in my study reflecting not on their strengths, but on the many weaknesses within my endeavor. Many things have contributed to the success, or lack of success as you will be the judge. Regardless of the outcome, I have given it my best shot, against all odds, and there were many. I have achieved some measure of success.
Much time has passed, even before taking up this undertaking. I have used every document and every avenue at my disposal to try and construct a scenario of the past. And even today and forever will continue to do so. It is only with the need to secure on record that which I now know, that I feel the urgency to proceed. As time passes I realize life is not forever.
In the pages to follow I will account for the comings and goings of the Elliotts, as they transgressed the pages of history from their earliest beginnings on England's south shore, on their peerless voyages across oceans, and their final disbursement in the new world. There will be little documentation to support my claim at times, but the evidence will remove any doubt of the events that passed.
Given enough time I would like to have spent more time, constructive time in England. For I know that a wealth of information is still available from which to glean the details of every aspect of their lives. And a most interesting story it would reveal. Maybe in some future date I will make that dream come true, God willing.
There is continuity in the events, yet there are gaps that appear due to lack of records, and the complicity with which I faced the research. But persistence eventually paid off and the rest is history.
Angus Gordon Elliott
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