Our Family Tree
This page is dedicated to our family
history. I am a decendant of "Deacon" william Crocker born in Devon, England in 1612. He was first of my decendants to come to America.
In the past year, my father has gotten quite serious
about our ancestry. He has spent countless hours in front of the
computer, in books, and going to the Mormon's geneology center.
Much to the dismay of my mother I'm sure. Frankly, until he began
this endeavor, I knew nothing of my family history beyond my
Great-Grandfather.
Until, one day very early last Spring, he came into posession of a Death Certificate of an ancestor going back to the mid 1800's. Although that in and of itself may not seem very impressive, at the time it was, considering the previous lack of information. Anyway, one rather cold and snowy Saturday in late March we went to find the Grave. The Death Certificate showed that the cemetary was only a half-hour away. I was not very optimistic. I likened our task to finding a needle in a haystack. I was pleased, however, to find that this particular cemetary was rather small. We drove in, parked in the relative center of the site, and split up. The four of us (Myself, Amanda, Mom, and Dad) trudged through this old cemetary which was teeming with sririts of New England. The air was cold and damp. Snow fell lightly, coating the horizontal surfaces of the headstones but melting upon contact with the warmer ground. Aside from the occasional passing car it was nearly silent. Sounds that were audible were muffled by the falling snow. I could hear my self breathe. I could see myself breathe as the cold air made my breath visible. As I walked and read the names on the stones, I thought of the people who were lying eternally beneath my feet. I thought of myself, my family, and my inevitable fate. The same as those around me. These stones serve as powerful reminders of mortality and the importance of Family. As I continued down these paths; thinking, wondering, asking; I was snapped back to life by the high pitched voice of Amanda shouting "I found it, I found it, over here!". She had indeed found it. The grave of family. Yet ironically, people whom I never knew.
This was wonderful experience for me and I'm so proud to finally know something of my past. It was once said that "You must know where you come from to know where you're going.". Well, now I know. Thanks Dad.
The Crocker Coat of Arms
Coats of Arms were developed in the middle ages as a means of identifying warriors in battle and tournaments. The present funtion, although still one of identity, serves to preserve the traditions that arose from it's earlier use.
The Crocker Coat of Arms (Shown at top over tree) is officially documented in Burke's General Armory and is described as follows...
Shield-Silver; a red engailed chevron between three naturally colored ravens.
Crest-(above the shield and helmet)A naturally colored raven.
Meet the Family
At this time, this page primarily follows the "Crocker" surname and my family line. I plan to expand in the near future to include Amanda's pedigree of the "Bettencourt" and possibly "Mankemeyer" lines. To view a family, click on it's respective link.
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Derek
Crocker, WebMaster
Russell
Crocker, Geneologist