Vacation in Waterton

My grandparents had a cabin in Waterton National Park, in Alberta, Canada.  We usually got to go spend a week or two at the cabin each summer. I remember sitting out in front of the cabin and looking across the lake to see the majestic Prince of Wales Hotel.  It was way too expensive for us to stay in, but was beautiful to look at.

Prince of Wales Hotel

At the end of the summer we had to make sure all the shutters were covering the windows as the snow would usually come up to the roof tops.

What is a Beef Ring?

My Grandpa Davies (William George Davies), had several brothers. I only knew one of them, Uncle Glen. When I was a little girl growing up in Edmonton I remember Uncle Glen coming to visit us. .
But this story takes place way before my time. 

I asked my mom how they had meat in the olden days when they didn't have a fridge. She told me that  when she was a kid she saw her mom can meat, just like when she canned vegetables- except that it took at least three hours to get it processed correctly. 

Her mom also had a 20 gallon crock with salt preserving the pork or ham. If she needed a bit of meat she just lifted the lid and pulled out the leg and sliced off a hunk.

Another way they got meat was through a "beef ring".   A "beef ring"  consisted of several farmers who raised beef . Uncle Glen would butcher a cow that belonged to one of the members of the ring. He would cut it up and all those in the ring came by his place to get a share of the beef.  Sometimes if my mom's family were visiting  he would give them a roast or some stew meat.

Make a Timeline

  

Compile a family chronology: a comprehensive list, in chronological order of all major happenings in the family since the parent's marriage.

Update it regularly.

Tracing Your Roots is Exciting

Join me!  Tracing your roots looks exciting, and once you start to think about it your really want to get going.  There is so much information you can become "information overloaded". Don't let it get too confusing - Let me help you reach your goals.

You need to have a plan to be able to achieve your goals, and so you can follow these steps to develop your game plan.

• identify what you wish to research
• break down each task into manageable pieces
•  brainstorm potential information sources
• make a list of the sources you plan to examine
• make a tentative schedule for completing the task
• focus on one task at a time 
• write your plan out in the computer or on paper
• print and file a copy of your plan in your notebook
• refer to the plan often
• revise it as needed
• be flexible, but stay organized
• be methodical
• follow new leads by setting up new plans
• devise a new plan each time you enter a new phase of research

Lists for a New Year...

Write on . . . ?

McGill University

I love lists and projects so this is what I decided to do today- I am going to make a list of high schools and colleges that any of my ancestors attended.

Then I want to write or call at least one of the institutions to  find out what I need to do to get a transcript.

I think it would be really cool to actually have a transcript from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada where my grandfather (Douglas Bradshaw Fowler) went to Medical School.

University of Alberta, Edmonton 

Or a copy of my dad's transcript from University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Canada where he (Allan King Fowler) went to Pharmacy School.

Let's see what I come up with. . . 

Asking Questions --- Taking Notes...

You will find yourself taking notes as you start researching and discovering new and exciting info about your family and their history.

If you notice that you are actively writing stories, and gathering  information and facts about your family - then that's the time to start paying attention to your notes.  You should develop consistent and systematic note taking methods, and be sure you are using the right materials.

It is only natural to grab whatever is handy to start taking notes when an occasion arises that you can get some family information.

 I did it all wrong - I phoned my mom with every intent of asking her many questions about her mother. I wanted to know what it was like in the day-to-day. I guess I wasn't sure how much information I would  get and how many questions I would ask. I didn't even really have a set of questions to ask. I just planned to let the discussion go wherever it was going to go . 

 I didn't even have a notebook or pen handy.  Once she started to talk I had to grab a used spiral notebook (bad, bad), and a pen that kept skipping,          

Learn from my mistakes - Don't use a spiral notebook, Don't use an old "Big Chief" tablet - they have too much acid and it is good to try to use acid-free or alkaline-based paper. Don't use the back of old envelopes or other scratch paper, stick with good quality 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
Don't use metal clips or rubber bands in with the material you will be keeping for a long time, and don't use transparent tape.

TASK .... Think about note taking and where and how you are going to file your notes:

• only write about one family member on a sheet of paper
• note your source first
• at the top of the page write the name of the family that the notes will pertain to 
• if notes need to go in more than one file, photocopy them to make a second page or put a cross-reference note in the second folder
• since you may need to photocopy your notes it is good to use black ink or s soft-lead pencil (blue ink or hard-lead pencil may not photocopy well)

Caroline McMurray Davies - the stork's visit

Having a Baby - in 1939

An oral interview with my mother, Glenna, about her mother, Caroline McMurray Davies.

Question: Tell a memory you have of your mother.
Answer:

 I was only ten years old when we noticed Mother was getting  bit heavy around the middle. Let me tell you in those days it seemed you were still supposed to think the stork brought babies. My mom's pregnancy was never discussed with us as children.  Shirley being the oldest knew a little more. It was unbelievable when I look back. One time in the fall of the year my dad was off doing some custom combining, and I assume Mother may have had some indication things were not going right so she had Shirley get on the horse a mile and a half to make a phone call and have Dad come home. (we had no phone) this she did, but still no one let on that anything was amiss. Dad came home and they went to see the doctor. She seemed to get better after that but everyone was still concerned after that.

Mother kept getting a bit bigger, but still nothing was talked about. At this time in our lives my sister and I were getting bussed into town for school. I remember that on the afternoon January 30, 1939 while on the bus heading home, the bus driver told s that our dad said we could come home to town with him and to meet him downtown.  When we got down town Dad said mom was in the hospital, but there was still no mention of why, but by then I was suspicious, but we never even talked about it. We visited mom, had supper in the cafeteria but now it was getting late.  Dad had milking to do and other chores so he had to get home, so we left Mother at the hospital, but by now I knew what was going on.


We had no phone, so no communication. Shirley and I took the school bus to town the next morning, but I stayed on the bus and rode downtown to go to the hospital to see how my mother was.  I was met at the door by the head nurse who informed me that I had a new baby brother and that I could go up stairs to see my mom.  I was so excited that I could hardly stand it.  So I guess you could say that I was the last to know, but the first to know about the end result.


Dad came to town as soon as he got the morning chores done. After school Shirley and I went down to the hospital, and of course we were thrilled for a new baby brother.  Mothers stayed in the hospital about two weeks in those days, so it was awhile before we got to take him home. My dad was so thrilled to get a boy.

When I think back to how things were with a new baby in those days compared to new babies today. My mom had sewed diapers, and made some little night gown and little kimonos to wear when it was cold. Parents did the best they could; we were not able to call the doctor over every little problem which came up.  I remember about two times when Murray was a baby that dad went to the neighbors and called the doctor who drove seven miles to our home to help determine the problem.


I remember for about ten weeks Mother had a hired girl come and help in the house to help with laundry and chores, but my sister had to help more after she left. times were tough in those days and hired girls who helped out were paid about $4.00 per week, and helped with other house work as well. I also remember she slept in the same bed as Shirley  and I. the bed sagged in the middle and she slept in the middle.

Researching your Family History

First Steps to Getting Started

When you have your goal defined for researching your family history you can step up your game plan. Gather your supplies, and now you are ready to begin discovering your past.

Where should you begin your search? - the library, the internet, national archives?

No, you start with yourself and what you already know.  Write down what you know about your family.  Ask yourself key questions, answer the best you can. Be specific! Record everything, be precise and fastidious and do not abbreviate.

Proving Who You Are- look at your birth certificate, it will probably list:

• your full name at birth
• your sex and whether you were part of a multiple birth
• date of birth
• county and state of birth
• usual residence of your mother
• mother's full maiden name
• her age and race
• state or foreign country of her birth
• number of previous children
• number of her living children
• father's full name
• his age and race
• state or foreign country of his birth
• his usual occupation
• kind of business or industry in which he worked
• name of the informant
• attending physician or midwife's name
• signature of the doctor or midwife
• name of the hospital or institution
• date of registration
• registration number on the certificate
• and usually the certification by the state registrar attesting that it is a true and correct copy of the record

If you don't already have a copy of your birth certificate, you can request one from the state bureau of vital records in the state where you were born.

Grandma Davies Makes Hot Cereal

"Sunny Boy" for Carol

There are three girls in my family.  I am the middle sister. When we were little kids we lived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Our parents had to go somewhere for a number of days so Grandma Davies came to take care of us.

"Oatmeal" for Judy

My only remembrance of that time is that she made a different hot cereal for each of us. I only liked  "Cream of Wheat", my older sister liked "Oatmeal" and didn't  like "Cream of Wheat", and our younger sister only liked "Sunny Boy" a wholegrain cereal.     ( I need to ask my mom for a few more details of the when and why and where the parents were)

"Cream of Wheat" for me

I remember thinking it was so special, we all felt so loved... but now I am a grandma myself I realize it was probably the easiest thing to do to keep the kids happy.   I hope I can be as good to my grand-kids.

Your Life History

- a gift you can give yourself

These guidelines helped me, perhaps they will help you . . .

Gather and organize your personal records

Make an outline

• your full name
• birth info- where , when, etc.
• parents full names and names of their parents
• memories of your preschool period- get recollections from parents or older siblings
• childhood memories about friends, schools, teachers
• young adulthood- thoughts on growing up, what it was like at home and at school, college
• courtship and marriage- how you and your spouse met, special dates, the marriage proposal, the wedding, your first home
• children- incidents that took place during pregnancy, names of children, hopes and dreams you had for your children
• vocations- jobs held, what you did to prepare for your life's work, different successes you had at work
• civic and political activities, with a list of positions held, and services that you did performed in your community and church
• spiritual  and faith-promoting experiences , and the effect those had on you
• what you plan and hope for the future

If you haven't already started, I encourage you to start writing your history as soon as possible

• don't be worried about whether your grammar or language is good enough- use your own style and tell how you feel and how things happened
• be honest, don't embellish, and don't dwell on negative experiences
• stick with your outline

If you would rather record your history

• be sure to use a good quality tape and recorder, or digital recorder
• go to a quiet place so you won't have background noise interruptions
• speak in a natural voice and speak clearly
• follow your notes and outline
• record  you musical talents and other voices if they fit in the story

Keep your history up to date by keeping a journal

• choose a nice book to keep as your journal
• set a scheduled time for journal entries, and stick with your plan
• daily entries are best

Enjoy the opportunity to preserve your life for generations to come.

It is never too early or too late to start - just DO IT!

USE THIS - - - to get started

The Life History of - - - ___________

FAMILY

I, _____was born on ____ at ____. I was born in __(hospital or home). (List conditions surrounding birth ___weather, ___doctor ___ or absence of one, how you got your name, etc.)

I was the ____ of ____ children born to my parents.  My father was ____ and my mother was ___. I had ____ sisters and ____ brothers. (List names and birth dates, starting with the eldest.)

Some early childhood experiences I have had are: (early playmates, incidents involving brothers and sisters, Christmas memories, birthdays, nicknames, experiences that taught you a lesson).

My father was born ____on ____ at ____. His father's name was _____ and his mother's name was____. Some fond memories of my father are: _____. the following is a brief outline of my father's life.

My mother was born ____on ____ at ____. Her father's name was _____ and her mother's name was____. Some fond memories of my mother are: _____. the following is a brief outline of my mother's life.

SCHOOL

I started school at the age of ____, attending the ____school at ____.  some of my close school friends were:______.  My favorite teachers were: ____-. some outstanding things I remember about elementary school were:_________.

I attended the junior High School at ____.  My special friends were: _____.  some special teachers I remember were: _____. some memories I have about junior high were: _____.

I attended the ____High school at ____.  My special friends in high school were: _____ My special teachers whom I remember were: ____ .  Some outstanding  memories I have of my high school days are: _____. Special activities (athletics or student officers or clubs). I graduated from high school on ____.

I attended university at ____ for ____ years. I majored in _____ and I graduated on ____.  Some university memories are:________.

Other schools that I have attended (trade school, beauty school, business school, etc.) Name of school ___. Kind ___. Where____.  Some special things I recall about my advanced schooling:____.

MY OWN FAMILY

I first met my future husband/wife at____.  His/her name was____.  I was ____ old, and he/she was ___.  some interesting dates we went on were: _____.

We went together for ____ and were engaged on ____.  The"question" was popped like this:_______.

We were married on ____ at___.  Some of the memories I have of my wedding are:____. We honeymooned at ____ for ____ days. Some memories of our honeymoon are:____.

We made our first home at ____.  Some of early married experiences are:____. Other home we have lived in are:____.


We have been blessed up to this date with ____ children.  They are,__________starting from the oldest (name, birth date, birthplace, etc., plus a short description of their lives, schooling, mission, marriage, etc.)

OCCUPATION

My occupations through the years, chronologically listed have been:_____. (also list circumstance leading you into your work, etc.)


MISCELLANEOUS
The following are some interesting things which have happened to me which I would like to pass on to my children and grandchildren. (tragedies, illnesses, funny incidents , trips taken, business successes or failures, hobbies, plans and hopes for the future, etc.)

McMurray Family Group Sheet

I have in my possession a family group sheet where my grandmother, Caroline McMurray was a child in the family. This family group sheet is especially special because it has pictures of all the people.

I have been looking at it a lot, looking at pictures, looking at dates, and I got to thinking about her siblings.

Caroline McMurray was the second youngest in a family of 10 children.  Her younger sister, Lila Leora McMurray was Aunt Lila-"with the white hair".  I don't think we called her that to her face but my sisters and I always referred to her that way because on my dad's side we had another Aunt Lila and this was a way to differentiate. Her white hair was really beautiful and she was just a lovely and gracious person. Caroline and Lila were the only children in that family who were born after them moved to Canada. the other eight siblings were born in the United States.

I also remember an Aunt Jennie, but I think as a kid I really didn't know how she was my aunt. Now I sit here looking at this picture from long ago- probably her wedding picture for 25 March 1913- I can see her face in that picture. I wish I had paid more attention.

Today, as I am holding this family group sheet in my hands and it caused me to wonder "Why don't I know or remember any of the others?"  The answer: they all died before I was born or when I was very young.

Here is a list of her family:
Father- James Stevenson McMurray   born: 13 July 1863 - died:22 June 1948
Mother- Sarah Ann Orr    born: 20 Dec 1867 - died: 29 Aug 1901
Brother- Joseph McMurray   born: 9 Feb 1887 - died 28 Sept 1958
Brother - Parley McMurray    born: 25 Sept 1888 - died:22 Nov 1940
Sister - Sadie McMurray    born: 8 Sept 1890 - died: 15 Mar 1891 - she was just a baby
Sister -Lottie McMurray    born: 2 Mar 1892 - died: 7 Oct 1916
Sister - Jennie McMurray    born: 17 Dec 1893 - died
Sister - Eva McMurray    born: 27 July 1896 - died: 19 Feb 1920
Brother - Milford McMurray    born: 15 Dec 1897 - died: 12 Sept 1950
Brother - Richard McMurray    born: 12 Oct 1900 - died: 5 Mar 1952

Self - Caroline McMurray    born: 11 March 1902 - died 3 June 1981

Sister- Lila Leora McMurray   born: 7 Apr 1909 - died        

Louise King Fowler

 

Family Story... Hummels 

My Grandpa and Grandma Fowler lived on a farm south of Lethbridge, in southern Alberta, Canada.  I can remember going to visit them.  There were lots of black cows, and quonset huts for the chickens. Best of all I remember visiting with grandma in the den of their home.  That was where the t.v. was, but also there were shelves of National Geographic magazines (a most unique find). However, in the formal living room, where we children only occasionally dared to venture were two tempting treats.  The first, an arrangement of fifteen Hummel ornaments, on several low tables placed between the various couches and chairs. I loved to stare at the various children in their lovable poses. the other excitement in that room was a cut glass crystal candy dish that held "Licorice All-sorts"---a yummy, yummy treat.

Why Keep a Journal?

 

Click this link for the article-from the October 1975 New Era
The Angels May Quote From It. 

President Spencer W. Kimball  said:

"Your story should be written now while it is fresh and while the true details are available."
"A journal is the literature of superiority. Each individual can become superior in his own humble life."

"What could you do better for your children and your children's children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?

"Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity".

Sidetracked by Grandpa Fowler

I spent a long time planning which ancestor I would research first.  I chose to do my first family history search about my maternal grandmother, Caroline McMurray Davies. She was a young, girl who grew up in southern Alberta, Canada,circa 1930.  Her family was of Scottish descent, and she married a young man whose family ancestors hailed originally from Wales.

I have enjoyed my memories of my dear grandmother, but as I search, I remember more. Questions come to mind, some I will have to research.  Luckily, I can still ask my mother for some of the answers, and I need to do that while her memories are still accurate.

However, today I got a little sidetracked.  I was moving some journals from one shelf to another and came across a wonderful picture of my paternal grandfather, Douglas Bradshaw Fowler. I knew him as my grandpa, but he was also a family doctor in southern Alberta, Canada.  The untold story is that he went to Pharmacy School at University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta to become a Pharmacist, but after doing that work for a while, he left his wife and young family to go to Ontario to go to medical school and later returned as a Doctor.

I need to do some more research  to get all the details, so I will try to not get too sidetracked, but I need to find out all about it.

"When the folks went to town..."

This was a story about  my mom, Glenna Elaine Davies.   This story takes place when she was a young girl, but old enough to stay home alone when her folks had to go to town.

Occasionally, George and Carrie Davies would go to town and leave the girls home. One time Glenna was trying to keep herself entertained and was doing a little snooping around.  Her house didn't really have any closets or built in cupboards either upstairs or on the main floor.

However, in the living room, there was a window with a window seat. Many parts of the year the family didn't even use the living room as it was too cool or cold.

A "store set" similar to this.

She went in the living room and decided to lift up the window seat lid to see what was there. Inside the window seat she found an amazing site. An entire little store set, very authentic and, just like you would find at the store. There was even a little cash register to ring up sales.

This was an absolute treasure!

For the next few months, every time her folks went to town, Glenna would go into the living room and play with the little store set. There was never any thought in her mind about why they were there or whose they were, it was just a huge bonus to have them there to enjoy.


A few months passed, and then it was Christmas morning.  

Her folks were so excited as they had saved and scrimped to be able to purchase a store bought gift of a little store set. Glenna  was not very excited at all, by now these were well-played with and there was no novelty about this gift. 

Hauling Water -

Caroline McMurray Davies -  

Water - Easy to Take for Granted

It's Saturday morning, and my firm commitment for family history sleuthing will help me press forward today as I clean my house so latter I can sit unencumbered to work on family information gathering.

I will be thankful for the modern appliances I have that help make my life easier. I just put the linens in the washing machine and turn a few dials. They will be washed (through no effort of my own)and then I can move them to the dryer and in a short time they will be dry and I can  take them upstairs and remake my California King size bed..

My mother told me that while she was growing up, her mother, my Grandmother Davies had to haul all the water she needed everyday into the house,  then she had to haul it all out. They kept a reservoir (steel or tin tub of some kind) on one side of the stove so that they always had some warm/hot water. Imagine for a day that everything you needed water for you had to walk to the well, carrying a bucket, then pump the water or pull it up from the well and carry it inside, then heat for cooking and bathing, and laundry, and for any other needs. Then once the water had been used it all had to be carried outside again.

I have no excuses about getting my laundry done today.  I won't even go into other details of my easy life- that can come later.

Richard Orr and Caroline Derricott

 

Caroline Derricott - Grandmother to my Grandmother

Caroline Derricott, was born October 1, 1843 at Oakengates, Shropshire, England.  She was from a family of 12 children.  Her father was Charles Derricott who was born in England in 1806.

Caroline was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was a young girl.  Those who joined the Mormon church at that time were baptized at night because the people were so bitter against those who joined.

The family moved to Neuslain, Willinghall, England due to persecution.

She met her intended husband Richard Hoar, when she was about 18 years old.  Richard was considering going to America to Zion so he got consent of Caroline's parents to go with them and they would be married in Zion.  At this point in time it was not possible to marry anyone outside of your own class or title and so he would not have been able to marry Caroline in England.

My grandmother- Caroline McMurray 
Her mother - Sarah Ann Orr  (my great-grandmother)

Her grandmother - Caroline Derricott (my great-great grandmother)

The "Monarch of the Sea" and beyond...

Caroline's parents wanted their children to go to Zion as they already had one daughter in Zion who had gone across the plains with a handcart company.

In May 1861, Richard and Caroline set sail for America on a sailing vessel called the "Monarch of the Sea".  They were married June 18, 1861 the day before they landed in New York Harbor.  they were married by Elder Jabus Woodward; he had presided over the group on this voyage. they stayed a year in New York to make some money for their journey to Zion.  In spring 1862, they made their way to Winter Quarters, Florence, Nebraska. In May 1862, they hired out to Wagon Master John R. Young.  Richard was to act as teamster to four yoke of cattle wagons of merchandise from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake city for the John R. Murdoch Company.  Caroline also had to drive a team.

more to come....

Caroline Orr's parents - 
Charles Derricott 1803-1885
Mary Ashley 1805-1885

Richard Charles Orr's parents - 

Charles Hoar 1813-1887
Elizabeth Webb 1816-1841

Sailing on "The Monarch of the Sea"

In 1861, Richard Orr and Caroline Derricott sailed from England to the New York harbor. They were married on board the ship in the harbor, June 18, the day before they docked.

  A ship similar to "The Monarch of the Sea"

There are several first-hand  accounts from other passengers on "The Monarch of the Sea".  When I read them I try to visualize what it was like for them as they traveled.

"At Liverpool we embarked on the Monarch of the Sea, a very old and rickety ship and entirely unseaworthy.  The sea was so rough and stormy that the waves washed over the top of the deck. When the people were frightened the captain said. "We'll land in New York all right.  We've got Mormons on board and we always get through when we have Mormons."  On its return voyage The Monarch of the Sea, loaded with cargo, sank, but the captain and the crew were saved.

We were on the ocean six weeks.  All of the Mormon families traveled in the steerage. the voyage was very rough.  I can remember the chest sliding and banging from side to side across the wooden floor and all of the other chests and trunks with it.  I can also remember my mother sitting and clasping her hands, praying that we would get to America in safety.  She was a very devout and courageous woman.   We slept in bunks on the sides of the boat.  In the center we children played during the daytime and ate our meals.  Our food consisted of hard tack and a little bacon and coffee.  We used our chests and trunks as tables when we ate our food.  Sometimes the captain would be kinder than usual and send down a little soup."

From -
Alma Elizabeth Miner Felt. Journal, An Enduring Legacy. Volume 7. Salt Lake City: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1984

Sanpete County and the Sanpete Valley Railroad

Circa 1877

Richard and Caroline Orr moved their family to Sanpete county.  They homesteaded two miles east of Moroni and the boys ran the farm while Richard ran a freight train on the Sanpete Valley  Railroad.
three more children were born here: Oliver, January 1, 1875, Joseph, January 8, 1877, and Bertrand Oscar, April 28, 1880.

At this time the nearest church was at Moroni, Utah, and the family didn't get there too often.Caroline began to worry about the children growing up without the benefit of the gospel which she and her husband had left England to keep.  They began to make active plans to get the family closer to church activities and family relations.

When the 10th child arrived, Arthur, born July 13, 1882, they sent a letter of announcement to one of Caroline's brothers (Charles Derricott) in Liberty, Idaho.  He wrote and advised them to come to this area as there were several church in the area as the church had been colonizing this part of Idaho along the Bear River.

Salt Lake City, November 1862

Richard Orr and Caroline Derricott Orr arrived in Salt Lake City in November 1862.  After a year they moved to Morgan county in Weber Valley and rented a farm and went into farming.  By now, they had 2 children.  Thomas Charles Orr, January 16, 1863 and  Elizabeth Caroline born on June 1, 1865.  Three more children were born in Morgan; Sarah Ann Orr, December 29, 1867 (my great-grandmother), Rosa Lee Orr, January 28, 1869, and Josiah Orr, September 11, 1870.  He worked for Union Pacific Railroad, and then the Utah Southern Railroad.

Richard was the engineer on the train that hauled rock from the quarry into Salt Lake City to help build the temple. They moved into Salt Lake again where the sixth child was born, Richard Orr on September 30, 1872.

President Brigham Young called him to go down to Kanab.  It was about this time that their surname was changed from Hoar to Orr by Utah Legislation for the good of his daughters growing up.


Sarah Ann Orr, born  December 29, 1867  was my great-grandmother.

The Move to Canada

Richard Orr and Caroline Derricott Orr

After 8 years of farming and railroading in Sanpete County they moved to a farm at Liberty, Bear Lake Country, Idaho, located on a land later called Sharon.  While they were here, two more children were borne: Mary Rebecca, born  November 9, 1883 and William Ernest born April 19, 1886.

While in Liberty, Idaho they became more active in the church and had 5 of their children baptized on the same day - June 3, 1883.

In the 23 years they lived in this area they raised sheep and cattle, grew some grain and lots of hay.

Then they moved to Canada where some of their sons had moved a few years previously.

James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948

James Stevenson McMurray - my great-grandfather, was married to Sarah Ann Orr.  She was the third child of Richard and Caroline Orr.

My mother, Glenna Davies had these memories of him: "Grandpa McMurray made cedar chests for his daughter Carrie and Lila and for some of his granddaughters.  He didn't come to Carmangay very often, but one time he came and built some steps on the front porch ... before that time we had had quite a struggle to get up on the porch. Grandpa was a quiet man, but was always up early. He liked to exercise and he tried to eat healthy and nutritious food."

In 1946, Mable McMurray Hull helped Grandfather McMurray by scribing this short history.  These were his words:

"I was born at Grantsville, Utah, U.S.A., 13 July 1863 and lived with my parents until 1870 when they were called to settle Bear Lake Co. at Liberty, Idaho.  I also lived there with them.

In 1901, I moved to Canada.  There was an impelling feeling that prompted me to come to Canada.  Josiah Orr and family, Alfred Sillitoe, George Sillitoe, and J.T. Derricott all came together. We sent a delegation to Cardston- to Stake President Card and he told us there was not better place to settle so we got busy and settled where Orton is today. I had three quarter sections of land and had a struggle to pay for them.  We had good crops till  1909, and in 1910 it was very dry and only summer fallow was worth cutting.  I figured on 12,000 bushels and got 1,200.  In 1911, it was very wet, froze and rusted.  All my children except for my two youngest were born n the United States.

I buried my first wife, Sarah, on 28 August 1909. she died of blood poisoning brought on by Erysipelas.  Lila was the baby, just 4 months old. Lottie was about 17 and the oldest living girl.  She helped by looking after things.  There were 9 children at home."

Caroline Derricott

Caroline Derricott - Grandmother to my Grandmother

Caroline Derricott, was born October 1, 1843 at Oakengates, Shropshire, England.  She was from a family of 12 children.  Her father was Charles Derricott who was born in England in 1806.

Caroline was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was a young girl.  Those who joined the Mormon church at that time were baptized at night because the people were so bitter against those who joined.

The family moved to Neuslain, Willinghall, England due to persecution.

She met her intended husband Richard Hoar, when she was about 18 years old.  Richard was considering going to America to Zion so he got consent of Caroline's parents to go with them and they would be married in Zion.  At this point in time it was not possible to marry anyone outside of your own class or title and so he would not have been able to marry Caroline in England.

My grandmother- Caroline McMurray 
Her mother - Sarah Ann Orr  (my great-grandmother)

Her grandmother - Caroline Derricott (my great-great grandmother)