Tag Archives: family history

2 July 1856 – Railroad Travel – Mary Taylor

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From the Diary of Samuel Openshaw

July 2 – We started on the Western Railway at twenty minutes to twelve and passed through a large extensive woodland country a distance at 200 miles, when the train stopped at one o’clock a.m. at a place called Greenbush, near the Albany River.

From the Journal of Joseph Beecroft

July 2nd Wed. We awoke and got up about 3 and attended to packing, and before six we got breakfast and packing finished. I then got our things out and then guarded for a brother while he got his things out. About 8 o’clock I was on my way to station, on a van loaded with our luggage and set on tins to keep them on. When arrived we got our things weighed and kept an eye on them till my wife and John came that we could go into our carriage, which was a cattle van. Our luggage had to be box for seats, and at night our beds. I felt highly delighted as we passed along in seeing the various streets and houses. A little past eleven we were steaming away from Boston towards Iowa City. I had some delightful reflections as we beheld the splendid buildings and beautiful landscapes that spread out before our eyes as we rapidly passed along. We passed Malbro [LOCATION UNKNOWN] and a many interesting villages with their chapels and spires. At six we were at Springfield, a large city and stopped a while and while there we were asked many questions about our passage, the numbers on board, deaths & the places from whence we started and where we were going. One apostate tried to dissuade us from going further, some laughed and turned up their noses with scorn. We had got 100 miles from Boston, and had got to Albany, which place we reached about 12 at midnight. Our carriages were luggage vans vans [SIC], and our seats were our luggage which was in our way. We were uncomfortable in some some [SIC] things, but comfortable in mind. We were cramped with being confined, some slept in the [p.34] carriages and some laid down on the ground and some walked about till we had orders to pack up and go a quarter of a mile to a camping ground near the ferry called Offman on a broad part of Hudson. We crossed the ferry and had near a mile to carry our provisions to station, which we found in the middle of a street unfenced off. We were soon on our journey which was rendered very pleasant with being in good carriages and having good Saints about us. We passed Utica a large city and arrived at Rochester early in the morning.

30 June 1856 – Arrival in Boston Harbor – Mary Taylor

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From the Life History of John Jaques;

Mon. 30: About 7 o’clock the steam tug “Huron” came alongside and towed us to Constitution Wharf. Brother Haven returned having learned that Brother Felt was in New York. The presidents of wards had the privilege of going onshore with two or three men from each ward to bring provisions for those who wanted them. I and Brother Steel, Paul and Taylor went and bought cheese, bread, butter, and sugar for our ward. I bought for myself about eighty cents worth of bread, about three pounds of cheese, two pounds of butter, a little fresh meat, and a few other things. Very hot day. Took a walk with Elders Haven and Steel along Washington Street. Elder Haven leaving us went on the Common. Very tired on our return. City very clean, also the people. Bought one quart of milk, 5 cents, several 10 cent loaves, 4 or 5 pounds of ham, and several other articles. Our letter did not appear in the Journal. The editor rejecting it, ostensibly on account of its length. I and Brother Haven shortened it and he gave us to understand that he would print it.

From the Diary of Samuel Openshaw;

June 30 – Very hot. Remained in the vessel while arrangements were made for us to go by rail.

From the Journal of Joseph Beecroft;

Monday 30th I arose a little to four and with my wife arranged our loose things into bags, during which time the Saints was emptying their bed into the river through the portholes. We had to throw out our good flocks and have some 3 months to lay on hard boards or ground. We got our things arranged, washed our floor, and being invited I went on shore and was in through this business [UNCLEAR] I felt comfortable. We breakfasted on cold water given to us by Sister Peel and about 7 the steam tug came and about 8 o’clock we were on tugged to Boston. I went on deck and enjoyed the scenery and the view of buildings next the sea as we passed along. The town is a great length along the side of the bay and presents a dazzling prospect from the water, but our joy was short for we were ordered below with orders that a man was not to stir, except by leave.

While below I got up some boiled rice, and about this time the anchor was cast and double guards were placed at each of the hatchways to prevent parties from coming to plunder us. While a number of awkward looking men came and wanted to come in our midst. About eleven I was asked to go onshore with our president and went with him and quite a number of the brethren in search for provisions and I had cheese, butter, and bread bought by Elder Brodrick [Broderick], who exerted himself as he always has done for our well-being.

The Saints had the privilege given to go on deck so I went up before Elder Brodrick [Broderick] was ready and looked abroad and Elder Brodrick [Broderick] having come to us I went out of the ship on the quay, followed by my son John, who so soon as he felt the floor, he stamped with one foot and then the other exclaiming, “I have put my feet on ground again.” I now felt joy to spring up because I had got to land and thought of those who had kissed the very ground when they first touched the shore. I felt on free soil for the gospel has made me free and I will live under its banner while I live and in death I will sail under it into another world, and in the resurrection I will be a more than conqueror under its ample folds and life giving principles through the spirit of God. [p.32]

When Elder Brodrick [Broderick] was ready in company with a many brethren we went into Boston and traveled a great part of a street that runs alongside the quay or harbor till we came to the marketplace, and there we purchased a large cheese and some butter and while [-] there the sweat flowed freely from us in consequence of our weak state, the sharp walk and the exceeding weather. The parties of whom we bought our provisions inquired where we had come from and where we were going and one gave the address of his brother-in-law who resides in Provo, Salt Lake Valley and presented me with a last Saturday’s newspaper which afforded me the news that the American government had dismissed Mr. Crampton, the English minister and that England was likely to dismiss the American minister. Strange news, what I oft feared., I felt glad I had escaped.

We got a good drinking of new bread, principally with butter and cheese, what luxury. I wrote a letter for my Brother William and finished a letter for Brother Peel, in which I enclosed my letter for brother William. I wrote much in journal and felt happy.

I got the privilege to go out again a little before 8 o’clock and in company with Brother John Pears went through a many streets, and while out we were passes by few water engines which was drawn at a good run by the men who was going to put out a fire. We should have gone further but I began to rain very hard. The rain passed off and we hastened on to ship which we reached a little after 9. The streets and houses was brilliantly lighted up by lightening ever now and then. Got some American coin for half a sovereign, I gave to Elder Brodrick [Broderick] to get changed. Attended prayer meeting and about 10 went to bed on the boards. A many put their beds on the floor in the gangway. Some slept on boxes, others on bags. Brother Litter [James Lister] and others cracked jokes and kept us our merry as pipers. [UNCLEAR]

 

28 June 1856 – First Sight of Land – Mary Taylor

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From the Diary of Samuel Openshaw:

June 28 – Beautiful day and a propitious wind brought us in sight of “Yankee Land” which is the first land that we have seen since we left sight of Ireland and truly it was beautiful. As we entered into the Bay of Boston to behold the rise and decline of hills beyond hills intersecting covered with green grass, cattle grazing, bedecked beautiful houses, rocks rising out of the water as if to resist the force of the waves. It was truly sublime to us to gaze upon it. Our hearts were cheered to behold our destined fort. We cast anchor about nine miles from the city of Boston. A pilot came on board.

From the Life History of John Jaques:

Sat. 28: Beautiful calm morning. Many small vessels seen. A thin sandy broken black streak was pronounced land which proves true, being Cape Cod. Great rejoicing at this. Towards the middle of the day a fresh breeze sprung up which sent us right into the harbor at the rate of 10 to 12 knots per hour. It was truly refreshing to see the houses, trees and the green landscape after being deprived of the privilege for some time. We cast anchor at 6 p.m. within a mile or two of Boston. As we came up the river the passengers were kept down below while the sailors were taking in sails. This was quite a deprivation, but was submitted to with patience. The captain went ashore soon after casting anchor and took with him a letter to the Daily Journal and one to President John Taylor. I saw a steamship about the harbor. There were plenty of little sailing vessels such as yachts and barges. Also a steam packet or two. The view of Boston and the vicinity is very interesting. A small hillock is an island, with trees upon it, is quite a relief to the eye.

From the Journal of Joseph Beecroft:

Saturday 28th I arose about four and looked out of the porthole but could see no land. I went to bed again, and laid till half past 5, washed, shaved, carried up water, and about 7 o’clock I hear a person say he saw land from the first landing on the mast. I ventured up and the 3 of our company to see land for the first time for near 5 weeks. About 9 o’clock we could see land very plain from the ship side of the forecastle. The same Saints seem [p.28] highly pleased with the sight. I feel grateful to my Father in Heaven for his goodness in sparing our lives to see the land of Zion, the land of the free and home of the brave. The land of Joseph’s, choice above all lands. Glory to God in the highest and goodwill to men. I got breakfast after prayer meeting, and then went on deck, and beheld from the ship side the distant hills which indeed appeared lovely to those who have been a long time deprived of the sight of [-]. I stood on the forecastle and with joyous feelings beheld our noble vessel glide rapidly through the yielding waters and bringing us nearer to the sand hills in the distance. About noon we had got opposite the hills which lay on the left side of the ship and in a short time we were opposite Cape Cod Fishery and opposite the Cape Cod Lighthouse. In the neighborhood which was a wind hill and at a short distance from this was a number of houses, the first I had beheld since the channel. We continued our course about a mile or so from the shore and could see one sandbank after another until, I discovered with my small glass, large fields clothed with waving corn and yellowing for the harvest. This sight was truly gladdening to behold. I could see the fences separating field from field. We were all ordered to our berths and having obeyed orders we saw but little of what passed, but though I took off a lock from a box and put on another yet being near our porthole I had a grand chance of seeing village after village as we passed along. We came to a point of land that retired and a great basin was formed, and we could see but the dark mountains in the distance. In a short time we came up with the land again and at this juncture I asked to go out to [-] and got on deck finding a number of Saints up, I thought I had as much right up as anyone so I stayed. For a long way as we went a short distance from one side of the shore while on the other side lay the wide ocean. As we passed along we came opposite village after village with fields interspersed between dotted here and there with trees. Now was a gentle slope inclining to the sea covered with fields, houses here and there, and then an opening beyond which we could see the water as far as we could see. By and by we came to a large [p.29] embankment which we were told was Naval Fortifications. About this time we began to be enclosed on both sides with land at a short distance and passed no less than 3 lighthouses. Here we came to little islands and then we had on our right hand an opening to the wide ocean and ships or vessels gliding in all directions. Every now and then a large boat passed us which skimmed lightly along. The individuals who manned them were dressed elegantly. The sights that presented themselves all on all sides baffles all description. Such was their grandeur, splendor, and sublimity. Among other buildings as we passed was custom house and quarantine hospital, on our right, which when we had neared, the first mate at the orders of the pilot, cast an anchor, at 25 minutes to 6 p.m., for we had got the pilot on board a little before he being brought in a light barge. He is the picture of a Yankee. Having cast anchor I came below deck and found the porthole by our berth crowded with Saints all anxious to catch a glance of things as a view was afforded through the hole. I got tea and attended to writing till we had privilege to go on deck. It was a little before sunset that we got on deck and lovely indeed was the evening as the orb of day went out of sight, right behind the city of Boston. A many boats came past us and two large ships passed for Boston. The shades of night soon followed. The setting of the sun and shut from our sight the lovely landscape that surrounded us and left the eye not to rest upon but the dim outlines of some near objects and the lights of the lamps in Boston and those of a revolving and stationary lighthouse. After chatting a little with Brother Jesse Haven upon the resources of the Americans in case of war &c. I came down and got to bed. Thus ended one of the most important days that ever dawned in my history.

My Current Projects: Goals and Progress

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Evaluate Goals for last week:

++ print goals for the week – complete
++ post at least once per day, Monday to Saturday – I want to get more posts done on other people’s work, but I didn’t get that done.
++ send reference images to Kim for the Horizon – I sent some images and links to Kim, plus I talked to her about the illustration and I think that was helpful.
++ finish adding links to blog – I got this done, I’m not all that happy with the way I have some of this set up but it will do for now.
++ finish Casey’s book – I got it uploaded, ordered and even got it back! Good job Blurb.
+    Send info on MS Sibijak – I almost gave up on this goal, then I decided I could upload all the images I have of the Sibijak to my SmugMug site and send off a link. I got them uploaded but haven’t composed the email yet with some historical information.
–    2 hours on Key West Audio transcribing – zilch on this.
+10 rate my progress

Progress on projects not on my goal list:

I got several of the Europe 1952 posts – 60 Years Ago Today – done ahead.

Goals for this week:

  1. print goals for the week
  2. post at least once per day, Monday to Saturday
  3. Send info on MS Sibijak
  4. talk to my dad about the Key West Audios – I need a different tactic
  5. Get Volume 6 – Our Family moving forward again
  6. rate my progress

Still struggling to get more done in a day. Do I just need more focus? Am I wasting too much time? Not sure the answer but hoping for inspiration. So much to do and I don’t think I’m making enough progress. Any suggestions?

A Suitcase Full of Letters

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Nancy’s suitcase full of letters

Have you ever discovered a treasure trove of family documents or photos. NotSoFancyNancy found a suitcase full of letters from her dad to her mother. Here is what Nancy had to say about the find.

When my daughter Tania first told me about the letters I knew that something had to be done with them, after all they ARE our history. I took them home and put them all in chronological order. I scanned that first letter and looked at how many were left and I became overwhelmed. There are SO many of them, did I mention it is a suitcase full? There may be thousands, but I guess we will find out together if you want to join me for this adventure.

Nancy is sharing each letter on her blog. Many of them chronicle her dads experiences in World War II. I think that Nancy has come up with a great way to deal with the overwhelming task of saving and sharing these letters. She is taking them just a little at a time. She scans them and transcribes the text, preserving the letters. Nancy does some research about the information in each letter and posts it on her blog.

Down the road she can decide if she wants to put what she has gathered into a book or share it in some other ways, but for now she is taking a huge project and moving forward in a doable and sustainable way. Great job Nancy! I look forward to seeing how your project progresses. Thanks for setting a good example.

Do you have a huge family history project like this? Have you found a way to move forward with it? What is holding you back?

My Generations Project – Mary Taylor

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Mary Taylor

The next step in My Generations Project as out lined by The Generations Project episode “Do Your Own Generations project”, is to populate my family tree. So I went to FamilySearch.org on the right hand side of the page is a link for “just getting started”. If you don’t have an account you can set one up there. Step one is to build your tree. Mine was already built so I went to the second step. Discover your fan chart. If you have an account for FamilySearch you can go straight to CreateFan.com and login there. Then just select create and it will create a pdf file ready to save to your computer or send it to one of four printing options.   It was really slick and easy. Here is how mine turned out.

There are several free downloadable genealogy charts through TreeSeek.com. One of the other options there is a cloud style tree. I picked the one that is just last names. Here is how mine came out.

As I explored TreeSeek.com I found a link on their about page to Misbach Enterprises. They have blank pedigree charts and some are free that you can download. One is a graphical family tree that looks interesting. A few weeks ago I found a bunch of blank free pedigree chart at ObituariesHelp.org. I really like an 8 generation fan chart that I have used for my puppies pedigrees.

family_tree        fan_chart         eight_generation_family_charts_fan_triangles

There aren’t too many blanks spots on my mom’s side of the family. My dad’s side has a lot more holes. Maybe sometime I’ll work on filling in those holes but I don’t see it happening anytime soon. I really like how compact and clear the fan charts are in organizing so much information.Have you used a fan chart?

Mother’s Day Project

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Mother’s Day Project for Iris

This is my version of an infographics inspire by Nicholas Felton‘s 2010 Annual Report. I’ve never done anything like this, so it was a learning experience and I enjoyed it. There are so many facts about a person’s life and this is a fairly simple one page project. I will print it out 8″ x 10″ and put it in a simple frame.

Iris – layer 1 – background

I did my layout in InDesign with five layers. The bottom layer just has the background.After I put in the background color in an 8 x 10 box, I locked the layer so I wouldn’t accidentally select it. The background color is a 25% tint of the main text color. This way when I go to make another version for Bill’s mom I can change the text color swatch and the background will change too.

Iris – layer 2 – lines

The second layer is just the lines. The default 1 pt stroke was too strong so they are .5 pt strokes. In case you don’t know, if you hold down the shift-key when you drag out a line with the line tool it will be perfectly horizontal or vertical.

Iris – layer 3 – text

The third layer is for most of the text. I used Myriad Pro in weights from light to black. I really like it when font families have such a contrast in weights.

Iris – layer 4 – photos etc.

The fourth layer is for the photos. After I picked the three photos I wanted to use I edited them in Photoshop using color matching to give them all an old sepia tone look. This layer also includes the brown lines on the residences “chart”. I drew these lines in InDesign with the pen tool. I started with a map of the United States and used that as a guide for drawing lines from Rexburg, where she was born, to each city she lived in. Then I deleted the map leaving the lines.

Iris – layer 5 – white text & lines (shown with layer 1)

The fifth layer is for all the white text and lines. I added white dots of various sizes for each city. Bigger dots for the cities with the most address. You see it here with the background layer so you can tell what is there.

I added a sixth layer to block out some of the more specific information on my mom for posting on this blog. No reason to risk identity theft. By putting it on a separate layer I can turn the blocked out areas on or off as needed for output.

I have learned over the last few years that it is very helpful to think through a project and create layers for different elements. It prevents lots of problems when it comes to editing and rearranging your design. For example with the residence chart, I can lock all the layers but the two involved in the chart and re-size or move it with accidentally selecting the text or other lines nearby.

If you would like an InDesign template of this project send me an email to raelyn@tellingfamilytales.com

Historypin

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While I was checking out Homestory’s blog I came across her post on Historypin. This is such an awesome concept I can’t wait to explore it more. The idea is to tag photos by place and date. This way you can narrow down your searches for images so easily by the site and the time frame. I’ve done images searches for history books and this would have been so helpful. If you haven’t been to Historypin, you’ve got to check it out.

p.s. I enjoyed the rest of Homestory’s blog to. I really like the idea of using a building as the theme behind telling family stories. I’ll have to post more on this another day.

My Generations Project – Mary Taylor

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Mary Taylor

I’m in the middle of my first Generation Project. I am focusing on my great-great-grandmother, Mary Taylor.The first step of a Generation Project is to find your why. Here are the questions that the producers of The Generations Project have:

  • What do you spend a lot of time thinking about?
  • What do you hope will happen to you in the next year or two?
  • Tell us a story about a life changing experience.
  • What is the biggest challenge you’re facing in your life now?

As I’ve worked thought these question and pondered I’ve decided that the challenge I want/need the most help with now is with the Telling Family Tales web site. I really want this blog to be meaningful. I have a vision of it being a place where all or at least most of the resources that someone wanting to record and keep family stories can come to learn what they need to complete their project. This feels like an overwhelming tasks and I don’t know if I can do it. But I want to. I’ve wanted to do something to help others be more effective in telling their family stories for many years. Then a few months ago the idea of a gathering place of not just what I have done but others information too developed in my mind and that seemed to make so much sense.This idea will take a long time to really develop and I worry if I have what it takes to make it a reality. I’ve taken a few small steps, but for me starting is the easy part. I have much more trouble with staying on task and completing a project.

My great-great-grandmother survived through some really tough stuff and found ways to thrive. I want to find that same kind of strength in me. So there is my why. I’ll post about step two – populate your tree next week.

In the meantime as part of my upcoming Martin’s Cove experience I started sending out emails to those in my family who coming about important dates along Mary’s journey from England to Salt Lake City. I’m going to a series of short posts called 156 years ago today to go along with those emails. I hope you enjoy them.

What are your biggest challenges? Are you thinking about doing a Generations Project too?

My Current Projects: goals and progress

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It is Monday so I’d better take a look at my week and check my progress.

In the Navy – Key West Chapter: project about my dad’s 20 years in the U.S. Navy. The priority is the chapter on Key West so he can pass it on to the Under Water Swimmer School website to include in their history page.

Due Date: asap but no hurry either

  • Listen to audio tape & transcribe

I actually put in about 30 minutes on this. Not sure how to handle the transcribing but I got some done. I think this will just take some time. My dad did share some interesting stories about assignments he had that I hadn’t heard before.

Journal for Martin’s Cove Reunion: a half sheet size journal to help make the trek experience at Martin’s Cove more meaningful. Have time line of handcart company with info about Mary Taylor and her family along with space for journaling and possible adding photos or sketches.

Due Date: July 2012

  • Decide on Binding – in process
  • Logo for Reunion
  • edits – waiting for mom to proof read

This is pretty much on hold until my mom gets back with me. She said she was going to show it to my aunt Lucy who will be at Martin’s Cove with us. I didn’t do anything with the binding. I think I’ll plan on getting back to this project in June.

Mary: a small (7×7) book about Mary Taylor’s childhood and her journey to the Salt Lake Valley with the Martin Handcart Company for children under 12 to learn about their pioneer ancestor.

Due Date: flexible – would love to have at least a draft for July Reunion

  • write text
  • get illustrations from Kim

I got an email from Kim this morning that she finished the first illustration! We just have to work out the best way for her to get it to me. I set up a folder on Google Docs that I shared with her. I think it will work but I’ve never done this before so we will see.

Mother’s Day Project:

Due Date: May 13th

I’ve decided to do a project for Mother’s Day. We are hosting a family dinner that day and I’d like to give something to my mom and my mother-in-law. If I can pull it off I’d like to do one for my two sisters and my sister-in-law too. Not sure what I’m doing but I want to do something inspired by the Infographics post. I’m thinking something 8″ x 10″ so I could get a simple frame to put it in.

Goals for this week:

  1. Continue transcribing “Key West”
  2. Pay Kim for 1st illustration
  3. Mother’s Day Project

I’ve admitted to myself that I’m not going to work on Mary or the Martin’s Cove Journal this week. I haven’t been very productive on my family story projects the past two weeks but I do feel good about keeping up on my blog posts. I get sidetrack easily. But it is a new week and I can and will do better this week.

What are your goals for the week?