Watch your Language!

Genealogists, as students of history, know that we can only reach an incomplete understanding of our ancestor’s lives. The details, even if we can find them, don’t always mean the same to us as they did to our forebears. Everyone sees the world through their own unique set of lenses: current events, widely-held sentiments, beliefs and/or stereotypes, even personal experiences, change the way we see the world. For example, proper Victorian ladies, even if they kept a daily diary, would Never have mentioned being pregnant (Ssshhh!). Instead, they note that “a little visitor came to stay at our house last night.” And changes in the language itself from their time to ours can be a barrier to understanding. For example, a lady wrote me about her ancestor. His wife’s obituary stated that “He was a professor of religion for 60 years before his death.” This lady wanted more information on his life. I had researched this man and was shocked. The census records said he was a blacksmith for many years. How had I missed that he was a professor?
Well, I’m not sure that I did.
A professor can also be "one who professes, avows or declares," such as on a religious matter at an adult baptism or confirmation ceremony, thereby becoming a "professor of" that religion. It could also mean that he was a lay minister, professing his faith to a congregation. I had assumed that the phrase was an old-fashioned, and unusual, way to say that he was a very religious man. Such statements were extremely common in late 19th century obituaries. Wouldn't want anyone to think he was a heathen, after all. This lady and I had seen the exact same information through two different lenses and saw completely different things. And both interpretations may be completely different from what the obituary writer really meant, if we could ask them. So leave your modern lenses at the door and try to see through your ancestors’ eyes.

In my research today, I came across the phrase "make him into 'catfish bait.'" This was frontier slang for disemboweling an enemy and dumping his body in the river. It would also have worked as an insult, for anyone who has ever fished for catfish knows that the bottom feeders are attracted to the most rotten, most foul-smelling stuff you can find. I have not been able to find any information on the origin of this phrase, so if anyone knows, please share. Thanks! © 2011 LuAnn Goeke