A Book of Family Stories

I think it would be wonderful to have a book full of family stories that could sit in the living room on a table to be picked up and read at any time.  These stories could remind us of the sacrifices that our ancestors made through their lives.

Sacrifices they made, moves they endured,  hardships that helped them become the people they became. Those who joined the Mormon church against the wishes of their parents, those who walked across the plains as part of a handcart company.

Family ancestors who moved their family to Canada and then lived in a tent for two years- and it is cold in Canada. Ancestors who were in Nauvoo, Illinois  and met Emma Smith shortly after her husband was martyred.

Nauvoo, Illinois

A I sat here tonight reading many stories, I feel blessed that my mother gathered many of these stories and typed them up and then they were duplicated on a mimeograph machine (now days they can be typed on a computer, and saved or set up in a desktop publishing system and produced into a book).

This is why I started my quest for family history  and stories and why I call  it a "gold mine". Nothing could be worth more to me than this as it helps me know where I came from and what my family sacrificed for the truth of the gospel.

As time goes on, these stories will also be made available on this blog for all to read and appreciate.

Tender Tears

It is true --  once you start delving into your family history you start to feel really connected with those relatives or ancestors.

Since I chose to do my first research and story finding about my Grandma Davies I have been thinking about her a lot.  My feelings are so close to the surface and I had tears collecting as I had so many memories about her. She was really an amazing woman and really didn't have an easy life..

Her husband (William George Davies) died on the 18th birthday of her youngest child, Murray Davies. Her two daughters were already married by then, as Murray was 11 years younger than his sister, Glenna (my mom). Glenna Elaine Davies was married to Allan King Fowler, and Shirley Maxine Davies was married to Walter Joseph Griffin.
 
Grandpa Davies was a dry-land farmer in southern Alberta, Canada. What a difficult time that must have been, to be widowed early and to now have to take care of herself and her son. Grandma knew that there was really no way that she could take care of the farm with just herself and her son.  Her decision was to sell the farm, and move into town and learn a skill or a trade. At the time she didn't have much more than a sixth grade education (very typical for those days).She went to school to become a CNA or nurses' aid and she worked that skill for the remainder of her working days.

The watch she wore while going to school and while working as a nurse was one that my mom had bought for her dad- it was the only watch he ever owned- but that is a story for another day.