Moving Beyond Birth and Death Dates --
Where the Real Sense of Connection Develops.
March 22, 2016 By Guest Blogger Cheri Marie Peacock
John Lowry Jr., my great-great-great-grandmother’s brother, was born in Missouri in 1829 and died in Utah in 1915.
If, while researching my family history, I had stopped after learning this information, John Lowry would be only a name to me, a record, a data byte.
But, knowing that my ancestor participated alongside Parley P. Pratt—an early Latter-day Saint convert and Apostle—in one of the greatest treks in American history will resonate with me long after precise dates have been forgotten. . .
John Lowry Jr., my great-great-great-grandmother’s brother, was born in Missouri in 1829 and died in Utah in 1915.
If, while researching my family history, I had stopped after learning this information, John Lowry would be only a name to me, a record, a data byte.
But, knowing that my ancestor participated alongside Parley P. Pratt—an early Latter-day Saint convert and Apostle—in one of the greatest treks in American history will resonate with me long after precise dates have been forgotten. . .
It is important to gather names, dates, and places of those we research.
It sets them in a time and place and helps us link our family chain accurately.
But moving beyond birth and death dates—learning about our relatives’ life experiences and uncovering telling photos and stories— provides insight into the lives of our ancestors and unveils their character and abilities.
That’s where the real sense of connection develops.
That’s where our sense of identity is expanded and how the best of our heritage can be passed on.
It sets them in a time and place and helps us link our family chain accurately.
But moving beyond birth and death dates—learning about our relatives’ life experiences and uncovering telling photos and stories— provides insight into the lives of our ancestors and unveils their character and abilities.
That’s where the real sense of connection develops.
That’s where our sense of identity is expanded and how the best of our heritage can be passed on.
Sevier River in Winter Following an invitation by Brigham Young, for example, Lowry headed south with “The Southern Utah Exploring Expedition,” led by Pratt.
The goal was to explore southern Utah, seeking good areas of settlement, and then return to Sanpete County.
When they set out on the return trip, November 1849 was upon them. Traveling in the winter meant harsh conditions, with weather dipping as low as -38 degrees Fahrenheit.
I can’t imagine going on a trip by horse and wagon in any time of year, but to travel in deep snow in December, January, and February sounds unbearable.
At one point, Lowry and two others came to springs leading to the Sevier River. They had to cross the icy water.
Concerned about the danger of having wet clothing in such cold weather, they removed all their clothing and rolled it into a bundle with their blankets, which they tied with the laces of the snowshoes they had been using to cross the snowy mountain ranges. This bundle was tied over their shoulders to keep it dry.
The team did not turn back or halt the expedition but eventually made it safely to Manti.
Regarding the 50 who went on the expedition, Elder Pratt Pratt reported, “With scarce an exception they were patient and cheerful under all conditions” (in William B. and Donna T. Smart, “The 1849 Southern Exploring Expedition of Parley P. Pratt,” Nauvoo Journal, 136).
Another historian has said, “Thus closed one of the most unusual and yet remarkable exploring expeditions ever conducted in the American West.”
It is very satisfying to find out about our ancestors. They were people with very different personalities, just as we find in our families today.
Sometimes we discover through family history that our relatives were not perfect, but neither are we. They had setbacks and trials to overcome, as we do.
When we are faced with difficulties, it helps to know that our ancestors went through challenges of their own and overcame them.
Hearing this and other stories truly astounds and humbles me. I cannot believe the challenges my ancestors faced.
John Lowry Jr.’s story is just one of thousands. How many other incredible stories are there, tucked away in a diary or newspaper article, waiting to be told to our generation?
What stories await your discovery?
The goal was to explore southern Utah, seeking good areas of settlement, and then return to Sanpete County.
When they set out on the return trip, November 1849 was upon them. Traveling in the winter meant harsh conditions, with weather dipping as low as -38 degrees Fahrenheit.
I can’t imagine going on a trip by horse and wagon in any time of year, but to travel in deep snow in December, January, and February sounds unbearable.
At one point, Lowry and two others came to springs leading to the Sevier River. They had to cross the icy water.
Concerned about the danger of having wet clothing in such cold weather, they removed all their clothing and rolled it into a bundle with their blankets, which they tied with the laces of the snowshoes they had been using to cross the snowy mountain ranges. This bundle was tied over their shoulders to keep it dry.
The team did not turn back or halt the expedition but eventually made it safely to Manti.
Regarding the 50 who went on the expedition, Elder Pratt Pratt reported, “With scarce an exception they were patient and cheerful under all conditions” (in William B. and Donna T. Smart, “The 1849 Southern Exploring Expedition of Parley P. Pratt,” Nauvoo Journal, 136).
Another historian has said, “Thus closed one of the most unusual and yet remarkable exploring expeditions ever conducted in the American West.”
It is very satisfying to find out about our ancestors. They were people with very different personalities, just as we find in our families today.
Sometimes we discover through family history that our relatives were not perfect, but neither are we. They had setbacks and trials to overcome, as we do.
When we are faced with difficulties, it helps to know that our ancestors went through challenges of their own and overcame them.
Hearing this and other stories truly astounds and humbles me. I cannot believe the challenges my ancestors faced.
John Lowry Jr.’s story is just one of thousands. How many other incredible stories are there, tucked away in a diary or newspaper article, waiting to be told to our generation?
What stories await your discovery?
Finding Stories
Standard genealogical records, including birth and marriage records, are a good start for finding information. As we learn the stories of our predecessors, we have a better idea of where to look to continue our research.
The booklet My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together is a great resource for adding information to your family tree. The booklet helps you record family names, stories, and photos in an engaging way.
My dad, who is known to always tell a family story around the campfire, suggests learning stories by reading books on local history and connecting names in your family tree, as he did for the story I mentioned earlier.
He also cites talking to people and asking questions as a key resource. He recounts being at the bank and talking to the bank teller about her last name—a name he had seen in our family tree. After he explained our history with the name, the bank teller sent him stories about the ancestors who had, until then, been just a name in the family line.
Another resource for finding stories is the website findagrave.com. This site frequently includes information on spouses and children as well as interesting tidbits found in obituaries.
It will take more work to find the stories attached to the names, but it is worth it.
Knowing the stories of my ancestors have made them much more real to me.
They are designers of the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founders of Wellsville, Utah, and early settlers of southern Utah.
They are not just random links in my family chain; they are pioneers—real people who overcame challenges and paved the way for me.
Standard genealogical records, including birth and marriage records, are a good start for finding information. As we learn the stories of our predecessors, we have a better idea of where to look to continue our research.
The booklet My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together is a great resource for adding information to your family tree. The booklet helps you record family names, stories, and photos in an engaging way.
My dad, who is known to always tell a family story around the campfire, suggests learning stories by reading books on local history and connecting names in your family tree, as he did for the story I mentioned earlier.
He also cites talking to people and asking questions as a key resource. He recounts being at the bank and talking to the bank teller about her last name—a name he had seen in our family tree. After he explained our history with the name, the bank teller sent him stories about the ancestors who had, until then, been just a name in the family line.
Another resource for finding stories is the website findagrave.com. This site frequently includes information on spouses and children as well as interesting tidbits found in obituaries.
It will take more work to find the stories attached to the names, but it is worth it.
Knowing the stories of my ancestors have made them much more real to me.
They are designers of the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founders of Wellsville, Utah, and early settlers of southern Utah.
They are not just random links in my family chain; they are pioneers—real people who overcame challenges and paved the way for me.