Note: See this post:
In summary. We have new information about the baptisms of the children and are in the process of researching to establish a proper narrative. For now, see comments at the
WikiTree profile for Thomas Gardner. We will start with
Rev. Hubbard who was there (
1680 manuscript).
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To date,
sources for the blog post and
Beacon issues have been textual. The technical resource for these were several, including databases. That is, digitization projects have made many books available. There are several different copies of
Dr. Frank's book (my favorite is at
archives.org). Various groups, including collateral families, have websites. Some of these use database technology.
rootsweb is
another example.
A few days ago, knowing that we need to upgrade the
TGS site to use more modern techniques (let's say that it is now, being generous, late 1990s). I started to look at options. Too, media types abound; genealogy might be dragging its feet (
On blogs and other modern means), however presentation of this material will need to grow with advances. The NEHGS' emphasis of the relationship between history and genealogy gives more than enough motivation.
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So, what if there were something presented about Thomas and Margaret using modern methods. Videos come to mind; too, though, gaming needs serious attention. So, I went looking to see what might be on youtube with regard to the Planters of New England.
Essentially, it was disappointing. Here are some examples why:
Naumkeag,
Syracuse series,
Endicott, etc.
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But, then I got side-tracked. I ran across a BBC series on the History of Scotland. I started in the middle and bounced around. Now, some experts harp at the series. To me, it was an eye-opener. As I listened, I went and researched what I was seeing. As well, trying to understand what it might have been like to live then. That is, preparing to address Thomas' decision to leave and to make a live elsewhere.
Here are links to the Scotland series on Youtube (
the first part) and a
Wiki page that summarizes the videos.
Is there something similar about Ireland? Yes (
Youtube,
Wiki).
England? Yes, again (
Youtube,
Wiki). Actually, I was looking at England first. Someone had a series that had little introductions to the Monarchy, in sequence. When I got to
Ed I, the Hammerer, I searched on that. The above Scotland series popped up in that the presenter (Scottish) said Hammerers (plural). He added in
Alexander (knocking the heads of his own people).
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While looking at the videos on Scotland, I was paying attention to changes that were coincident with Thomas' time here. I had mentioned that before, several times, such as
motivations. Given the annals framework that is being used for the Beacon, we can now do an issue pulling together some of this in a year-by-year fashion. That is, relate things at home to what was going on here.
Keeping in mind, please, that we're are still trying to figure out
the ancestry of this couple.
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While looking at the Ireland series, the presenter talked about how James I/VI sent
Planters to Ulster. The idea was to colonize the incorrigible Irish and teach them how to be civilized.
Disclosure: the tone is set from a mixed heritage, including Irish -- from what I've seen, there are not saints in any of these people - except for St. Margaret, perhaps - but, we still must honor (Commandment - way back to Moses) -- nod to the U.S. Father's Day which is approaching. Too, today it's like the same old thing over and over again. What lessons may we learn from Thomas and Margaret?
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Finally, but this is just a start, how the English (Elizabeth's bad side was quite apparent, too) thought of the Irish seemed real similar to me to how some settlers felt about the
Natives as they arrived here. A lot of these opinions were written, so we have a record.
But, recall, if you would, that the Gardners, early on were on a friendly basis (
story of John, for instance).
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Too, are there other videos that we can add to our list? Games were mentioned. Think how the Game of Thrones books spawned off all sorts of things. Our purpose would be to teach the proper history (whatever that might be).
Remarks:
06/20/2023 -- Added note about the narrative situation.
08/11/2020 -- We have used categories in the post. We also have used pages which allow some structure. Then, we have the other media to consider. One thing is definite, we will have lists of important topics. On these, we will find
Origins and Motivations.
07/16/2016 -- Related work:
Gardiners and Gardners.
07/12/2015 -- Okay, turtle speed. But, we get there. Announcing a new project:
Sherborne, Dorset. No doubt, it is about time. When finished with the data collection and analysis, we will present the strongest story (the prerogative of the family) that the facts, and abductive reasoning, will support. As such, we hope to demonstrate some very much needed research viewpoints.
07/12/2015 -- We mention abductive approaches (my career was spent in advanced computing - software and modelling, essentially). Please refer, at least, to
C.S. Peirce's (we mentioned him in an earlier post -
Benjamin Peirce) work in the area. [Love it:
From Ugly Duckling to Swan]
10/13/2014 --
Tabula raza, and more, will be of concern.
09/28/2014 -- A week ago, the record for the marriage of
Thomas Gardner and Margaret Friar was discovered in Sherborne by John Cook of Minneapolis, Dorset files. This sets a type of focus. Looks as if some transcription work might be in order.
08/22/2013 -- The start of a look at
what was what in early Salem (and New England) as far as Gardners is concerned.
08/07/2103 -- During a period of browsing classes, documentaries, and the like, I have run across many videos (youtube) that apply to our themes. One that I have not watched in its entirety deals with re-creating a Tudor Christmas feast using techniques and tools from the period:
BBC UK. I'm putting it here as it nice to think of the cooler holiday period during the heat of August (say, put a snow scene on your desktop). Too, in 2011, the December Gardner Beacon issue had a theme of
Tudor Christmas but also asked the question of Thomas' and Margaret's first Christmas here. That Christmas would have been before the heavy Puritan (wet) blanket descended upon those who were able to get themselves free from the old country.
06/17/2013 -- In the Great Migration
write-up, Thomas' origins are noted as unknown.
06/15/2013 -- Was there a
Thomas and a Thomas?
06/15/2013 -- Speaking of the NEHGS, what we are doing is
historical genealogy (as of today, that post is the all-time most-read post). Coming in second is
Old Planters, Beverly. Looking at origins would encompass the whole bit, out of which would then come the real story. That has not been done, that I can see, as of 2013 is not troublesome. Things come forward all the time. Too, has anyone surveyed the work to date in a comprehensive manner (meaning, of course, scholarly)? One goal will be to start, and sustain, such studies that would augment what has already been done as well as explore holes (which have to be defined, for starters). In the meantime, we'll try to document Thomas' life (such as, pulling out things
related to character) and progeny. Also, we ought to look more closely at Damaris Shattuck and Thomas. That he married a Quaker and didn't suffer the wrath of the likes of Endicott says something (
Mary Dyer was hung in 1660).
06/14/2013 -- As an afterthought, I ought to have used Barbarian in this post. Wiki has a nice little write-up on the
term and its usage. While mentioning Wiki, please visit the
Thomas Gardner page. It's a little over three years old and needs to be modernized (brought up to date - civilized?), too.
Modified: 06/20/2023
