The Great Brown Family Tree Poem by John Carter Brown

Hey mum, where's all this info'
You said you'd send to me
About the dear departed
That comprise our family tree?
I need this information
To complete my little chart;
So here's a little poem
To help you make a start.

Please write out all the details
From certificates of birth,
Of you and dad, you never know
Just what they may be worth;
And gran's and grandad's too
I thought I'd ask: can you remember
If details of their birth are kept
By any family member?

Who knows what little secrets
My searching might lay bare,
The Browns may hail from Switzerland,
Or France, or anywhere;
We could have famous ancestors,
It's possible you know,
That's why I thought I'd give this
'Trace your family tree' a go.

Just think if I uncover
A link with Kings and Queens,
To prove it would be easy
'Cause the proof is in the genes;
Our friends would all be jealous,
But that's the way it goes,
And Charles the first, like all Brown men,
Was not without a nose.

So mum you'll have to help me,
Sit down with dad and think,
And give me all the details
While you're both still in the pink;
Please make investigations
Then send the facts to me,
And I'll record for ever
The great Brown family tree.

(Written 17th Aug 1996)