I will never forget the first time I saw Pirates of the Caribbean.

Probably because I didn't see it just once.

I was 14 years old.

I bought tickets to a showing, and then I stayed in the theater and watched it two more times, back to back.

What is it about pirates?

Why are we so captivated by the romantic idea of being one?

Why has the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise made over $4.5 billion globally?

I don't think many people are immune to the pirate fantasy.

Even the famous British poet John Macefield, known for his melancholy reflections on the hardship of life,

was swept up by the idea.

I'm going to be a pirate with a bright brass pivot gun,

and an island in the Spanish main beyond the setting sun,

and a silver flagon full of red wine to drink when work is done,

like a fine old

salty scavenger like a Terry buccaneer but fantasies aside pirates were real

and their lives were complicated as are the legacies they left behind and in this

episode we're going to hear from two people who are connected to the same famous pirate,

though in vastly different ways.

I'm Lloyd Lockridge, and you're listening to Family Lore.

So could you tell me your name and where you're from?

Diane Burkett, and I am from Metery, born and raised Metery.

For those who aren't familiar with local geography, where is Metery?

...