Imagination and Family History

Over time we have all encountered material that was purported to be family history or genealogy and after careful reading we discovered it to be more a product of imagination than fact. The good genealogist needs to exercise care when compiling his or her family history. That said, I still think there is an important place for imagination in telling our family’s story. It was on a trip back home in 1985 that I visited the old Polhemus Family Cemetery located on the back of a farm in the Phalanx area west of Lincroft. My oldest son, about eleven years of age at the time, was with me. We knocked on the door of the property owner’s home and asked to visit the cemetery. We were kindly granted permission. I recall going over a fence and pushing our way through brush and blackberry briars until we reached a small grove of trees where the cemetery was located. There was a good deal of undergrowth crowding the grave markers at that time. Nonetheless, I was able to find the graves of my 5th great grandmother, Altje Polhemus Bennett (nee Van Mater) (d. 1804), and 7th great grandparents, Aukey Lefferts (d. 17 Nov 1769) and his wife Mary [Maria] Lefferts (nee Ten Eyck) (d. 1 Sep 1732). Given all the effort made to get to the cemetery, I remember the thrilling feeling that came over me just to be in that spot surrounded by the monuments of my ancestors. Standing in front of Mary’s stone, the oldest among them, my mind ran back to that time when family and neighbors must have gathered in that very spot in 1732 to lay her body to rest. I imagined the sound of horses and creaking wagons, how they might have been dressed, and the dominie from the Dutch Reformed Church who probably spoke the words over her grave. The service was no doubt in Dutch as I understand the church services continued in the Dutch language until about 1824. Reading history, particularly local history, can enhance the enjoyment of our genealogical pursuits as it enables our imagination to see our ancestors in their historical context and what life was like for them. Enrich your family history experience. Monmouth County is amply blessed with published local history and historical newspapers. You can find them in the county libraries and at the Monmouth County Historical Association in Freehold. Happy hunting.

The Old Family Homes

When you are doing family history don’t forget to stop by some of the old family homes. Take a few pictures. Look up their deeds at the courthouse and get copies. This old home was at 711 2nd Avenue in Asbury Park. It was the home of my great grandparents, Hartson Price and Susan (nee Coleman) Cook. It became Posillipo’s Restaurant in 1929. The top floor burned in 1953 and was removed. I remember getting great Italian food there served in courses European style. That is my great grandmother Susan on the front porch with other members of the family.

Monmouth Industry

The garment industry was for years the major employer of bread winners in Monmouth County. Many of my family were employed in the garment factories. Pictured is the cutting room at Sigmund Eisner's in Red Bank. That's my grandfather, Cyrenius V. Bennett cutting cloth at the table on the right. He was a cutter there nearly all of his working life until his retirement in 1962.

Life on the Shore

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