When Viv met Thelma
|
|
In 1955, a young man by the name of Vivian Liggins went out one evening to the Wanaka Hotel, to celebrate not only his recent 21st birthday, but also recent return from Compulsory Military Training. That same evening, Thelma Padman, an 18 year old Nurse, was working as a Waitress at the same hotel as a fill-in job while the Private Hospital that she nursed in closed down for the holidays. At that time, Viv was about to start working for McLead's Transport, and Thelma was planning on returning to her nursing position in Dunedin.
On that night, Viv and Thelma met for the first time, and subsequently began dating one another. Later that year, they married in Dunedin, and in so doing, joined together two Family Trees ~ Liggins and Padman. Viv and Thelma went on to have six children, of which I am one, and since my father's (Viv's) death in 1979, I have been researching my Family Tree. Initially, my research was focussed on my Liggins Ancestors, and in the 1980's I created the website titled "The Liggins Family Tree ~ New Zealand Connection", using the informatin that I had found during my research. Since then, whilst I have occasionally worked on my Family Tree, it wasn't until recently that I had the time and ability to continue my research. With the amazing resources and contacts available via the Internet, I have not only been able to continue researching my Dad's branch, including his Mother, but also my Mum's side, including her Mother as well. The Liggins & Padman Family Tree website is the culmination of my research, but more than that, my Family Tree is a Legacy, one which I can pass on to my children. They will know their roots, their 'whakapapa', and it is my hope that in so doing, they will learn to not only appreciate history, but also acknowledge all of those who have gone before them ~ those that were one link in the chain that led to their existence................ |
|
Dear Ancestor Your tombstone stands among the rest;
Neglected and alone. The name and date are chiselled out On polished, marbled stone. It reaches out to all who care It is too late to mourn. You did not know that I exist You died and I was born. Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone. Our blood contracts and beats a pulse Entirely not our own. Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
One hundred years ago Spreads out among the ones you left Who would have loved you so. I wonder if you lived and loved,
I wonder if you knew That someday I would find this spot, And come to visit you.  |