. . . I long for the time when I may see thy sweet face again, and the faces of my dear children. But I must break off, and desire to thee to commend me kindly to all my good friends, and excuse my not writing at this time. If God please once to settle me, I shall make amends. I will name now but such as are nearest to thee: my brother and sister Gostlin, Mr. Leigh, etc., Castleins, my neighbor Cole and his good wife, with the rest of my good neighbors, tenants, and servants. The good Lord bless thee, and all our children and family. So I kiss my sweet wife and my dear children and rest.

Thy faithful husband
Jo: Winthrop

The romantic stories of our ancestors can be particularly enlightening and give us real insight into our ancestors' personalities. Unfortunately, not all of us have beautiful letters written by our ancestors such as this one written by John Winthrop from Massachusetts to his wife back in England in September 1630.

Have you documented the stories that you know? Have you written down the story of how your grandma and grandpa met at a local dance? Or the story of how your Dad pulled some strings to send your Mom's beau overseas? Or how your husband proposed to you on a warm starlit night, or on bended knee in the family garden, the air smelling of jasmine?

If you have not recorded these details, you are leaving out one of the most compelling human elements in your family story. If you have living parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents, have you asked them how they met their spouse? What attracted them to each other? Where did they go on their first date? Did they exchange any special gifts when they were courting? Were any love letters or poems written and saved?

What details are known about the wedding? Did they date for a long time before getting married? Was it a church wedding or was it held at the family home? Who stood up or witnessed the event? Was there a reception? Did anything interesting, romantic, or funny happen that day? Was there music? What songs were played? Wedding invitations can also add to the story, as well as offering insights to personalities and other genealogical clues.

You may want to check the local newspapers for the engagement or wedding announcement. They often contain interesting biographical details about the couple, as well as wedding and/or honeymoon information. Anniversary announcements may also add helpful information. These announcements may even be accompanied by a photograph of the happy couple.

Photographs can stir memories, as well as provide valuable clues. Look for items of jewelry worn in wedding photos that may have been handed down through the generations. What happened to the wedding rings? Are there any other pieces that may have been given as gifts from one to the other? Look for engravings that may also add to the story.

If you don't have any of these items or any stories to record, check with cousins and other relatives. They may have heard the stories or have old letters, postcards, newspaper clippings, or other documentation hidden away in an attic, not realizing the significance of the items.

Research into marriage and courtship customs of an ancestor's ethnic background, location, and era can also provide interesting background information. Was there a charivari (shivaree) where neighbors serenaded the couple by banging loudly on pot and pans? Were certain foods traditionally served at the reception or were there traditional decorations that were used?

By putting together the clues found in letters, documents, stories, photographs, heirlooms and customs, you can form a clearer picture of your ancestors' lives. And by documenting and preserving these stories, you can ensure that, indeed, their love will never die.