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.

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!

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        

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".

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.

Oral History Interviews

Oral History Interview Techniques

When you are planning a trip to visit relatives and you want to do some oral history interviews here are a few tips that worked for me. I like to have a bag all packed and hanging inside the front coat closet, then I don't have to look all over for the things I need and run the risk of forgetting something very important.

• digital or cassette tape recorder (bring a microphone it there is not one built in)
• AC cord
• supply of cassettes if using a tape recorder
• labels for the tapes
• extension cord
• extra batteries
• notepad and pens
• list of questions, or a book on oral history with sample questions
• address book to note relatives' names and addresses the person you interview may give you
• a research notebook with pedigree charts and family group sheets
• watch or cellphone so you don't overstay your welcome (one hour is a good amount of time for an interview)
• photocopies of any documents you've gathered to show the relative- they may be good conversation starters
• photographs that your need to identify
• magnifying glass, in case the relative needs to have the picture amplified
• cell phone or other digital camera to take picture of items or documents that cannot leave that home

A lap-top is also really good to have when you go to an oral history interview.

Last Names - become - Middle Names

Last Names - Middle Names

John Stevenson 1806-1862 - married to Mary Vickers 1814-1867
father of
Elizabeth Stevenson 1838-1914 - married to James Hutton McMurray
mother of
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

John McMurray 1798-1853
husband of 
Mary Hutton 1801-1896
mother & father of
James Hutton McMurray 1829-1919- married to Elizabeth Stevenson   
father of
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948

Technology for Family History

 

Went to a Family History Fair in Elk Grove, California.
In the class on technology, Mr. Weber taught that the only technology you need to be successful is a pencil and paper.


But- with the enhanced technology starter kit it makes it a lot easier:

Family Group Sheet

Research Log

Pedigree Chart

• Pencil
• Blank Family Group Sheet
• Blank Research Log
• Blank Pedigree Chart

 

 

This is really all you need to get started!  AMAZING!

Hangout at a Cemetery?

You can find so much information on a visit to a cemetery. Some folks like to plan their vacations around checking out cemeteries for birth and death dates.

You may want to pack a lunch and have a picnic surrounded by your ancestors. Let your kids see how special this can be, not morbid at all.

Once again I suggest having a tote bag already packed for the occasion.  Make sure this tote bag is a bright color- just not green or brown.  Why? You will probably get so distracted as you go from grave marker to grave marker that you will leave your tote bag somewhere and if it is brightly colored it will  be easier to find.

Another suggestion is to have it waterproof so the contents will be protected if the ground it wet or snowy.

• notepad, pens and pencils
• research notebook with pedigree charts and family group sheets
• apron with pockets for carrying items as you go from tombstone to tombstone
• knee pads like you use in the garden- I always have to kneel down closer to see something on the tombstone
• garden shears to cut away overgrown grass
• little whisk broom to remove dirt and grass
• sunscreen- you will always end up staying out there longer than you planned
• bug repellent
• wet wipes- to wash your dirty hands before you eat
• digital camera
• spray bottle with water- you might need to wet the stone a bit to make the image show better for photographing

Gravestones are historical artifact. Don't do anything to harm them, and don't try to clean them.

Don't forget to take your camera!

Diphtheria in the 1930's

"In the early 20th century diphtheria outbreaks evoked fear around the world. Until the 1930s it was one of the most common killers of children in Canada and the United States."

I found this quote on the site from the Canadian Medical Association and talked to my mom to see if she knew anyone who had diphtheria. It jogged her memory and she told me that she remembered hearing that her father, William George Davies had had diphtheria when he was a child and even missed a year of school to recover. Her dad was very close lipped about many things so she had not heard this from him, but it was shared from her Aunt Sis (her dad's sister). She wished now that she had asked more questions.

Canadian Medical Association

Launa Fowler Stout - My Own Story

One spiral notebook

Thinking about my ancestors has made me think about writing my own story. I should be journaling my  experiences but also need to go back and write my past.

In 1979 we moved to Ft. Riley, Kansas. I was taking a class where the teacher challenged us to write everyday in a journal.  I didn't feel that my life was special enough to go out a buy a nice journal. I was also worried that my handwriting was not going to be neat enough, so I just bought an orange spiral notebook. I filled up several orange spiral notebooks over the next year or so.

What did I learn from that experience?
My life as I was in the day-to-day of it didn't seem too spectacular, but when looking back on the experiences from the writings in my journal, it was pretty amazing.  I found that by reading those pages floods of memories came to my mind, and now, because it is in print and I can read it,  I remember the year we spend in Kansas as one of the best years.

I wish I had bought a nice journal when I started, because my life was worth it, and it didn't matter that my handwriting was not perfect.

Sickness and other Health Conditions

 

Thinking about my grandfather having diphtheria as a child caused me to think about other health conditions that my parents or grandparents had to deal with during their lives.

My grandpa Fowler (Douglas Bradshaw Fowler) died of leukemia in 1965. He suspected and diagnosed it in himself.
My grandma Fowler (Louise King Fowler) died in 1987- I don't know why.

I remember my Grandma Davies (Caroline McMurray Davies) had Parkinson's  Disease, that eventually landed her in a care home where she lived until she died in 1981.

My grandpa Davies (William George Davies) died in 1957 when I was 4 years old. I think he died of a heart attack- I better check my facts.

Illnesses of my Mother - I remember hearing about some bad rash she had on both hands and she had to be taken to the doctor in Lethbridge for treatment, and had both hands bandaged and it was a really problem when she needed to use the washroom.

Illnesses of my Father- (Allan King Fowler)  -              

Shop for Supplies

Saturday Shop ... Supplies

Like many we work all week and only have Saturdays to do the shopping. I can see that this family history search project that I am starting on will need a few more supplies.  So, today I bought some hanging file folders and some tote bins to start keeping everything organized.

Use a Research Log

 

From the moment you start searching for information it is important to have a method to track the sources and information you find.

If you don't you will probably find that you look in the same sources more than once. It happened to me repeatedly when I first got started. I was searching so many different places, but many of them sent me to the same primary source.

A research log is a form  that will be specific for one person, and you will write every source you look at for a particular person. Write the library call number or microfilm reel number. Write the name of a book, the location, etc.

You think you will remember what we looked at, but as we get deeper and deeper into a project, it becomes hard to remember all the sources.

Always carry your research logs with you, even if you think you are only going to just research on one person.  It seems like inevitably, you find information about other relatives - and you need a place to record that information.

Another option that someone suggested was to write a person's info on the front of an index card, and tuck it in your pocket to take with you.  Record all sources searched on the back of the card.

This sounded like a great idea, so I tried to get creative and use all pink cards for ancestors on my mom's side, and all blue for those on my dad's side.

I found them too small to record everything I needed, and they were too easy to lose so it was back to the Research Log.  Be sure to make many copies of the log so that you have one for each person you will be searching for information.

Middle Names and Given Names

When I look at my family group sheets I keep seeing the same names, repeated.
For example: My grandmother, Louise King Fowler's father is Thomas Owen King - 1869-1946, and his father was Thomas Owen King is 1840-1921, and his father was Thomas Owen King 1800-1874.

Labeling my File Folders

I am still  trying to figure out just how I want to start labeling my folders.

My personality wants them all typed on labels with an interesting font...but then I am too committed. . .

So, I will actually start with a pencil and set up a file folder for my great-grandfather James Stevenson McMurray(the father of Caroline McMurray, my grandmother).  

I also have information on his parents so I will set up a file for them also. 


Everyone I have talked to has a different slant to the way they want their files named . . . so that tells me there is no right or wrong way. By starting in pencil I can easily change my system if I decide to.

I am using plain manila files, but imaging how pretty it would look to have different colors, and use a certain color for the different lines on your pedigree chart. I love color coding, so maybe after a while I will change to colored folders - I will let you know.

Filing by Couple or Family Group

• every couple on your pedigree chart gets a file folder
• label the folder with the names of the couple (wife's maiden name)
• list names of the couple's children on the outside for the file folder for quick reference
• if a child is married, make a file folder for that marriage

Filing by Surname and Type of Record

• create file folders for surname/record type combination's
• label folders with surname, followed by the type of record, e.g., Davies: Obituaries or Davies: Census Records
• arrange file folders alphabetically by surname then alphabetically by type of record