(no subject)

[joebanks]

Yesterday, almost by accident, i found my great grandfather's death certificate, online. A mystery i have been chasing, for nearly to a decade, comes to a close with a disturbing revelation. My great grandfather, like his father before him, committed suicide. The certificate reads.

"Shock and Hemorrage due to bullet wound on right side of head. Suicide while temporally insane."

He was 41 and this was February 1914, almost ten years after his father had killed himself.

"Swallowed phosphorus, probably suicide."

My great grandfather was no hero, he abandoned his family, if my own grandfather knew him at all, it was as a small child.

While trying not to be over dramatic, one cannot help but to take notice of this, if you read me with any regularity, i've known depression myself; now it's confirmed, mental health issues are family history.

Heart health has also been a problem, for my ancestors, and this is something else i have to be aware of, maybe nothing more.

Comments

[sahlah.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a find, both good and bad.

I suspect all families have a degree of depression in them. Nothing like doing geneaology for uncovering all the family secrets.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

You are probably right about famlies and depression.

[runawaytroll.livejournal.com]

Wow.. that is sad. Was your great grandfather in the US? I wonder what was going on in his life at the time.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

Yes he was in Chicago, from the few pieces of family lore that i have heard of him, i'm not surprised he died some sort of unhappy death.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the depression gene is linked to the male gene?

Depression must be a heavy cross to bear; I think you have dealt with it admirably thus far. You are very brave, not to mention a deep thinker (good).

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[k2rider78.livejournal.com]

That is very painful news but still you are right not to dismiss it. But never be mistaken that you are them.

My family tree has more than it's share of similar things especially alcoholism and depression.

I look at it as learning from their struggles and tragedies,
It is a shame that the stigma of mental illness have kept them from getting help.

You've accomplished so much with your family, and work. Also you are very creative with your photography, stained glass work, baking and writing in your journal.

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

I think all famlies have dark pasts.

Thank you.