Don’t forget the music

By Nancy Battick

When we’re writing our family history we focus on dates, vital records and names of family members. But there’s more to add to complete the picture of a family’s life. One thing that touched most of our lives was music. 

In the years prior to the invention of the radio, television and cell phones, families made their own entertainment. They played games, read and enjoyed music. A piano or organ was considered so important it was even one of the questions asked in certain censuses. 

My mother played the piano and I remember family get-togethers when we gathered around the piano and did a lusty rendition of old songs. I joined right in and even took voice lessons for my passable mezzo soprano. Mom and I sang duets. She was an alto. Add in a few uncles and we had a chorus.

I still have satellite radio playing in my car whenever I’m driving and I sing along not caring if anyone is watching. In the process of cleaning a drawer I recently found the sheet music of “Who Threw the Overalls in Mistress Murphy’s Chowder,” and it brought back memories of one uncle, slightly in his cups, belting it out as if he was the entire barbershop quartet. I also remember my mother stealing a quiet moment to play and sing hymns.

Once the farmhouse got electricity — and I am just old enough to remember when we didn’t have electricity though it was common in the town — my Mom and I each had a radio of our own playing nonstop. 

So how did music impact your family’s life? Did an ancestor play an instrument? Did you? Did someone sing in a choir in church or play in a school band? Did an ancestor hold the office of musician in a fraternal order? Did you or a relative sing as part of a program? Did anyone take music lessons? Is there a collection of old song books or sheet music lurking in your attic? Was an old upright piano treasured in your parlor? Did an ancestor play in a military band? Did your grandparents’ dance to “their” song? Did Mom and Dad have a special tune they cherished? What role did music play in your family’s life? Or, indeed, in your own? And have you made note of this in your family records?

We often neglect to note this sort of thing, dismissing it as unimportant, but the truth is it’s details such as these that make our families come alive again and relatable for our descendants. The love of music is universal in humans, and while our Puritan ancestors frowned on music (they really were spoilsports, and yes, I have Puritan ancestors), people have been making music through singing, playing instruments, tapping on spoons or homemade drums. 

The need for music seems to be deep in our genetic roots, so please take time and add details of your family’s musical heritage to your family tree notes. 

Columnist Nancy Battick of Dover-Foxcroft has researched genealogy for over 30 years. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, author of several genealogical articles and co-transcribed the Vital Records of Dover-Foxcroft. Nancy holds an MA in History from UM. Reader emails are welcome at nbattick@roadrunner.com.