Walking Through Qualicum Beach Cemetery

Recently personal historian Cory Brrtz was found walking through the rows of headstones at Qualicum Beach Cemetery. What Cory loves about cemeteries is that there are so many interesting people buried there who have had amazing lives. Our culture for many folks has taboos about speaking of the dead. Grief itself is often a difficult conversation for many to have. And we don't actually have an annual holiday to remember and honour our ancestors, unlike in other countries or cultures. The closest we come in Canada is Remembrance Day when we remember those who have fallen serving in Canada's military.

But the fact is we have countless cemeteries with people in them who in many ways have been forgotten. Yet they are the heroes of our families. These ancestors are the ones who lived through difficult times, overcame huge challenges, and managed to have positive, creative, and purposeful lives. Cory believes that as the next generation inherits all of the problems that we are leaving behind, they are going to need as much creativity, strength, and a sense of personal power that they can get. Connecting them with the knowledge of who their ancestors were can provide a sense of inspiration that lets grandchildren and great grandchildren know they come from a long line of amazing people who survived all sorts of complex, crazy and difficult situations.

If you're thinking about creating a book or a film about your family history that will inspire the Next Generation, starting with a walk in the cemetery might be a great place to start to pick out who the characters will be. Check back here to join in on the next Visiting Ancestors events with Cory Bretz at a cemetery near you.