Margrethe Sorensdatter Sorensen had a rough January as well

Last night I was online doing some research with Kelsey, who is working on an ancestry project.  I was on familysearch.org and boy do I love that place.  I was browsing some ancestors on my mother's side and I came across a grandmother who is nine generations back, named Margrethe Sorensdatter who married Jacob Sorensen in 1703 in Denmark.  He was 30 years old and she was 25 years old.

 This lighthouse is Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse, in Hjørring, Denmark.  

They lived in Orum, Hjorring, Denmark where they had 11 children.  Of those 11 children, only two were known to make it to adulthood.  One of course being one of my ancestors, Margaretha born in 1703.  The other child that lived to adulthood was her younger brother of nine years named Christen. 

Hjorring, Denmark, near the lighthouse

 

The deaths of four of Margrethe's children are recorded.  They all died in January of 1723 in Hjorring.  She first lost a seven year old son Laurits on New Year's Day.  Her 3 year old daughter Johanne then died on the 17th of January.  As if that weren't enough, her 12 year old and 9 year old daughters died the same day on January 24th 1723. 

What a rough winter that must have been.

 

I think I am having some January blues.  I am a bit onery, a bit lonely although I am surrounded by people, a bit sentimental, and a whole lot emotional. 

Last night when I found this information I just sat at the computer and cried.

 

I cried for Margrethe and her loss that I could not comprehend.

Cried for the rough January she must have had that year,

and the following Januarys she endured as the remembrance of losing 4 sweet children in the same month must have weighed on her,

and I mostly cried because my January didn't seem quite so rough.

Its incredible what a little perspective can do for you.

 

Last night as I perused familysearch.org I was filled with perspective.

I realized once again how very blessed I am, and once again I was reminded that spring comes after every winter.  Thank Heaven.

 

 

Hjorring, Denmark