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Across Time And Death: A Mother's Search For Her Past Life Children
The author recounts her search for the children of the woman she believes she was in a previous incarnation
153 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 17, 2026
This story is well documented, confirmed, and verified as true.
Jenny Cockell was born in England in 1953. As a child she had strong memories of a place called Malahide, a coastal village in Ireland, a place she'd never been to. In her memories she was Mary Sutton who died in 1932 leaving the children alone.
Mary was married to a man who was all right at first, but changed after coming back from the war. He became difficult, cruel and abusive.
Mary had eight children, and died at the age of thirty-seven after the childbirth of the youngest child. The children were all different ages and the oldest was thirteen.
Jenny remembered Mary's pain of leaving the children behind and not knowing what was going to happen to them.
Jenny drew maps of the village as a child and drew the buildings and locations. As an adult she did regretion hypnosis and realised that she had been supressing the memories and that she couldn't anymore. She needed to visit the village, trace the children, and find out what had happened to them.
Jenny visited Malahide in 1989 and was able to confirm that her maps and drawings matched the place. She knew her way around and found the house that was now in ruins, and managed to meet the surviving children who were her children in the previous life. They were in their sixties and seventies, the oldest been seventy-two at the time.
Jenny and the children shared the same memories, they were finishing each other's stories. She revealed to them a lot of past incidences that only their mother would know about.
Jenny learned that after their mother's death, the children were put into orphanages, except the thirteen year old.
Some of the children thought that Jenny had a psychic connection with their mother, the rest thought that it was reincarnation.
Jenny maintained a relationship with them for the rest of their lives! She visited them multiple times.
Jenny found peace as she had found out what had happened to the children!
Jenny Cockell was born in England in 1953. As a child she had strong memories of a place called Malahide, a coastal village in Ireland, a place she'd never been to. In her memories she was Mary Sutton who died in 1932 leaving the children alone.
Mary was married to a man who was all right at first, but changed after coming back from the war. He became difficult, cruel and abusive.
Mary had eight children, and died at the age of thirty-seven after the childbirth of the youngest child. The children were all different ages and the oldest was thirteen.
Jenny remembered Mary's pain of leaving the children behind and not knowing what was going to happen to them.
Jenny drew maps of the village as a child and drew the buildings and locations. As an adult she did regretion hypnosis and realised that she had been supressing the memories and that she couldn't anymore. She needed to visit the village, trace the children, and find out what had happened to them.
Jenny visited Malahide in 1989 and was able to confirm that her maps and drawings matched the place. She knew her way around and found the house that was now in ruins, and managed to meet the surviving children who were her children in the previous life. They were in their sixties and seventies, the oldest been seventy-two at the time.
Jenny and the children shared the same memories, they were finishing each other's stories. She revealed to them a lot of past incidences that only their mother would know about.
Jenny learned that after their mother's death, the children were put into orphanages, except the thirteen year old.
Some of the children thought that Jenny had a psychic connection with their mother, the rest thought that it was reincarnation.
Jenny maintained a relationship with them for the rest of their lives! She visited them multiple times.
Jenny found peace as she had found out what had happened to the children!
July 15, 2017
Jenny Cockell retained memories of a former life. In these memories, she died young and left children behind. Across Time and Death documents her acceptance of the memories and her search to find her previous family.
In childhood, my dreams were swamped by memories of Mary's death. ... All this, however, seemed inconsequential beside my fear for the children I was leaving behind." pg 1.
In the religion of my childhood, reincarnation was neither taught nor accepted. But, as I've read different books, I've come to believe that it's true.
I was so curious about it, in fact, that I participated in a past-life regression therapy session. The recording of it is mildly interesting, but mainly traumatic. I saw abuse, a lifetime of servitude and then a death that was penniless and alone in the dark.
The therapist can be heard on the recording, murmuring niceties about being "safe and secure." There was a lot of, "let it go into the light" and "breathe in and out, slowly."
Still, I walked out of that session and haven't gone to another one since. I most likely never will.
If we do indeed live again and again, perhaps there's a reason that we retain no memory of it. That's my two cents. Back to Across Time and Death.
As a child, Jenny understood her past life memories more clearly than when she was an adult. "I had no cause to doubt that these memories were real. I assumed that memories of this kind were normal, and I expected everyone else to have them too." pg 12.
Culture has such power to shape our worldview. Isn't it true that part of the process for choosing the next Dalai Lama is that the candidate has to recognize the previous Lama's belongings?
Jenny's experience with regression through hypnosis seemed to echo mine. "Hypnosis is a strange experience even without the element of regression. All sorts of memories which have been hidden deep within the subconscious and cannot ordinarily be reached can be brought to the surface. This is double edged - both a wonderful and a disturbing experience at the same time." pg 34. Yes.
When Jenny is finally able to overcome all of her doubts and fears, she then has to consider what the, now grown, children are going to think of her. "I needed to ask for help because I was beginning to panic. I wondered if I had any right to disturb Mary's children or, conversely, if I had the right to keep my story from them." pg 107. Which is a legitimate concern.
I'd recommend this book for people who are on the fence or just curious about reincarnation. If your mind is completely made up one way or another, I don't know that Jenny's testimony will mean as much to you.
In childhood, my dreams were swamped by memories of Mary's death. ... All this, however, seemed inconsequential beside my fear for the children I was leaving behind." pg 1.
In the religion of my childhood, reincarnation was neither taught nor accepted. But, as I've read different books, I've come to believe that it's true.
I was so curious about it, in fact, that I participated in a past-life regression therapy session. The recording of it is mildly interesting, but mainly traumatic. I saw abuse, a lifetime of servitude and then a death that was penniless and alone in the dark.
The therapist can be heard on the recording, murmuring niceties about being "safe and secure." There was a lot of, "let it go into the light" and "breathe in and out, slowly."
Still, I walked out of that session and haven't gone to another one since. I most likely never will.
If we do indeed live again and again, perhaps there's a reason that we retain no memory of it. That's my two cents. Back to Across Time and Death.
As a child, Jenny understood her past life memories more clearly than when she was an adult. "I had no cause to doubt that these memories were real. I assumed that memories of this kind were normal, and I expected everyone else to have them too." pg 12.
Culture has such power to shape our worldview. Isn't it true that part of the process for choosing the next Dalai Lama is that the candidate has to recognize the previous Lama's belongings?
Jenny's experience with regression through hypnosis seemed to echo mine. "Hypnosis is a strange experience even without the element of regression. All sorts of memories which have been hidden deep within the subconscious and cannot ordinarily be reached can be brought to the surface. This is double edged - both a wonderful and a disturbing experience at the same time." pg 34. Yes.
When Jenny is finally able to overcome all of her doubts and fears, she then has to consider what the, now grown, children are going to think of her. "I needed to ask for help because I was beginning to panic. I wondered if I had any right to disturb Mary's children or, conversely, if I had the right to keep my story from them." pg 107. Which is a legitimate concern.
I'd recommend this book for people who are on the fence or just curious about reincarnation. If your mind is completely made up one way or another, I don't know that Jenny's testimony will mean as much to you.
August 25, 2019
Interesting book, it was a little difficult to read as it’s about my great grandmother Mary and my grandad Sonny is featured within it the story too.
But it was insightful to learn a little more about my great grandmother.
But it was insightful to learn a little more about my great grandmother.
December 1, 2012
Read this book several years ago. It is one of my all-time favorite books. Even if you don't believe in reincarnation, this will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
"For as long as she could remember, Jenny Cockell had known that she had lived before as Mary Sutton, a young Irishwoman ..."
"For as long as she could remember, Jenny Cockell had known that she had lived before as Mary Sutton, a young Irishwoman ..."
December 29, 2015
Turned I read it for the second time, have already read it some 20 years ago. Still interesting and intriguing.
March 27, 2008
This book is so pretty and very well written. It appeals to me on a very personal level from all the experiences and history - I recommend it to everyone!
March 23, 2009
This is an intriguing book. It's hard to imagine that what Jenny finds in the end isn't true. I've seen a TV show where the children all quite elderly now were reunited and discussing the whole thing. I think it's a nice book even just for people who are interested in all things Irish whether you believe in reincarnation or not. But, this book and one called Looking for Caroll Beckwith are two books that I feel go a long way to making past lives seem a reality.
February 25, 2022
This book has stuck with me since the day I read it almost 30 years ago. Facinating. Her attention to detail and her sensitive handling of the subject are to be cherished. An incredible story of one woman’s memories and her quest to discover why she had them, if they were real and what had become of the children. Goose bump stuff that is beautifully documented
May 20, 2019
I read this book many years ago but have never forgotten it. At the time, I was reading several books about past life regression, and this one was absolutely the best.
Every time I see a map of Ireland, I always look for Malahide.
Every time I see a map of Ireland, I always look for Malahide.
February 24, 2019
A favorite. Saw her years ago on Phil Donohue Show. Hard to refute what she remembers. Read it again recently.
March 31, 2021
The things that get published really shouldn't astound me, but then they do.
June 26, 2017
A great story, but not a great book. I found myself skimming.
July 15, 2011
Interesting story about a woman with memories from a previous life as a mother who dies leaving behind her small children. She goes on a quest to find her children who would now be adults. This book is supposed to be an autobiography based on a true story of reincarnation.
Plenty of suspense in discovering what became of her children who had been left with an abusive father. I found the story well written and intriguing from beginning to end.
Plenty of suspense in discovering what became of her children who had been left with an abusive father. I found the story well written and intriguing from beginning to end.
February 28, 2021
©1994 Very interesting true story of a woman who remembers a past life in Ireland in early 20th century. She remember the village, the street names, and the names of her children and, finally as an adult, she goes to Ireland in search of her past.
February 18, 2022
This was a very interesting book, about a mother’s search for her children from a previous life….and reincarnation. It is a very interesting read, similar to “many Lives, Many Masters”, but the author actually helps to find and unite the children from her previous life.
November 3, 2007
A must read if you are interested in past lives.
October 27, 2008
This is so good it's hair-raising. If you believe in past lives, it's a must read.
June 23, 2009
I like this subject matter and I liked the book. I liked to think I will be with my kids.
October 18, 2011
LOVED THIS BOOK
December 22, 2019
This may be one of the most amazing stories I have ever read. It left me with my mind even more open than it had been.
February 23, 2024
Najpierw obejrzałem film, więc ciekawy byłem jaka jest książka... no jest zupełnie inna bo to nie powieść (muszę jednak przyznać, że historię w filmie też fajnie "ufabularyzowali", dość udany film). Ale książka też jest... przyjemna. Wciąga, nie przynudza, nie jest za długa ani za krótka i co najważniejsze: nie ma tu tego kaznodziejstwa, które tak mnie potrafi zirytować ;) Autorka opisuje swoje przeżycia w sposób nienachalny, po prostu pisze co czuła, o czym śniła, jak zaczęła poszukiwać rodziny, co odkryła i co z tego wynikło. Pisze że nikt nie musi się z nią zgadzać - co mi się podoba, a nie jakieś: "poczułem duszę syna i już jest oczywiste, że istnieje życie po śmieci" ;)
(czytana: 11-19.02.2024)
5/5 [8/10]
(czytana: 11-19.02.2024)
5/5 [8/10]
November 11, 2023
Not typically the kind of book I would read, but it was given to me, so I gave it a shot. I don’t necessarily believe in reincarnation, but tried to read it with an open mind. Fascinating story if you can convince yourself that it’s true. Also nice that the family she was trying to find accepted her beliefs of her being their reincarnated mother. Came off as a bit absurd to me. Glad it was a short book.
July 4, 2025
very interesting and very unusual. could have done with some editing and distilling, especially when Jenny writes about her feelings and mental progress with the whole concept - she repeated herself far too much on this; the point was already made. nevertheless a decent read. I would have liked to know more about what happened to Mary's husband and when/how he died.
May 19, 2024
Apesar das várias partes repetidas que me fez ler na diagonal, foi interessante. Tenho um fascínio por relatos de pessoas sobre a reencarnação. Teria preferido ver o filme adpatado com Jane Seymour, pois seria muito mais emocionante!
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August 26, 2024I read this book many years ago. It was one of the first books I read in the subject of reincarnation and past life memories. I found it compelling and believable then, and even more so now as I’ve read many books and articles on the subject.
August 6, 2026
أمومة عبرت الموت بحثاً عن أطفالها
كتاب 88 لعام 2026
تتمة مراجعة الكتاب على موقعي الرسمي ((( همى الغيث )))
https://www.hma-algaith.com/yesterday...
كتاب 88 لعام 2026
تتمة مراجعة الكتاب على موقعي الرسمي ((( همى الغيث )))
https://www.hma-algaith.com/yesterday...
October 17, 2021
Interesting read.
August 1, 2024
Something to think about
October 14, 2024
Intriguing. Compelling case for past life memories.
July 27, 2025
I love true stories like this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews