Father's Heart Blog

Recently I have been very keen to dig in to my ancestory and family history in general even watching countless episodes of the BBC genealogy series ‘who do you think you are’.

It all started, when I was asked to prepare a sermon for Rememberance Sunday. This caused me to look in to the story of my Great Grandad Samuel Smallridge who fought in WW1.

So I have learnt through the website that records all the gravestones in Tawstock Church, North Devon. The names of my direct lineage. This is work my Grandad Thomas (Ivan) Smallridge has done years before in much more depth.

So I have learnt that….I am the ….

Son of Michael

Grandson of Thomas

Great Grandson of Samuel

Great Great Grandson of James

Great Great Great Grandson of Thomas

Great Great Great Great Grandson of George

Great Great Great Great Great Grandson of John

And from a bunch of Mary’s it seems the Smallridge men of Tawstock loved to take a wife called Mary – many of them did.

Although all I really know is that these men farmed in Tawstock North Devon. I’ve found a few other family names along the short way. But I have a greater sense of belonging from knowing these father’s names.

I have a great sense of having father’s! This had never occured to me before – I only knew my father and Grandfather but to think there are Greats and Great Greats etc that walked some of the same land that may well have prayed on gate posts for their next generation and generations like I am beginning to now. It kind of boggles my mind and heart. To think I have father’s! To think I come from a lineage of men. Strong men that worked the land.

I can only imagine from their names that there mums and dads were believers giving them biblical names (except George though he’s the patron saint of England at least!) This gives me such a delight to think that they went before me in prayer in confession of the Word and trust in the Saviour!

I’m proud of these men yet I know little about them, but I believe the Lord is going to fill in, in my Spirit more blanks as I pray. And it sure gives me a greater conviction to teach my children and continue the lineage and keep the faith!