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.