I've been sitting at the same computer in the Periodicals Section of the HBLL for 7 hours now (gross!). It's so awesome. Not. And yes, I realize it's Saturday night and I'm 19 ... I'm weird, I guess. Then again, finals are in a week, so maybe my hermit-like behavior is justified. I'd like to think so. :)
Ok, the fact that I've been here for this long is not cool, but what I've been finding sure is. I've been researching one of my ancestral families all semester long: George Tilton Hyde, his wife Emma, and their 8 children. I've discovered some incredible records tonight (for example, their son Rosel (my great-uncle) was the FHCC Chairman under FOUR US PRESIDENTS! How rad is that? His obituary was even in the NY Times...) but for the most part, my searches yield not much of anything. When I do come across something-- even something tiny-- I consider it cause for celebration. Mega celebration.
Learning about my ancestors is really gratifying. Sometimes I'll find a quality we have in common or a similar interest. I have a bit of an imagination, so when I come across a simple record or new piece of information, I like to picture what's going on in their life and imagine how they maybe felt or how whatever the incident was, how it impacted their family. All of them are remarkable people. George Tilton was a devoted husband and father, not to mention a tested servant of the Lord. He served in many capacities and was ultimately ordained a member of the Seventy. His wife, Emma, gave birth to EIGHT children and was always supportive of George in his community involvement and tiresome church service. George has said their home in Downey, Idaho was the town's social center. All of their children went on to be successful in their personal lives and in their careers. My great-grandpa, George Osmond, became an attorney and also served as a temple sealer in the Washington D.C. Temple. His brothers Rosel (FHCC Chairman) and Donald (also a lawyer) also settled in D.C. Daughter Emma died at age 19 and I have yet to discover why/how. I don't know much about her, but hopefully I will come across helpful records as I continue searching. Erma Hyde (Emma's twin sister) married in the SLC Temple, raised a family with her husband Willis Brim, and also served in many church capacities, including stake primary president for nearly 15 years (holy cow-- that's a LONG time) and a missionary in the Central States Mission with her husband. Son Charles graduated from the U of U and then the University of Colorado and practiced as a physician in SLC and Nevada. Youngest son Reed honorably served as a pilot in WWII, but died in action at age 33 and was buried in a military cemetery in Surrey, England.
Anyway, the library "get out now" music is playing, so I've gotta wrap this up. My point is, I have come to love my ancestors. :) They rock, to say the least, and I'm grateful to be counted among their posterity. Also, I have gained a real testimony of family history work this semester. I'm excited and anxious to move on to researching other families in my heritage in future years, and, although no expert or lifetime devotee, I recommend genealogy work to anyone looking for serious satisfaction, increased love/appreciation for their heritage, and a spiritual boost. :)
Ok, the fact that I've been here for this long is not cool, but what I've been finding sure is. I've been researching one of my ancestral families all semester long: George Tilton Hyde, his wife Emma, and their 8 children. I've discovered some incredible records tonight (for example, their son Rosel (my great-uncle) was the FHCC Chairman under FOUR US PRESIDENTS! How rad is that? His obituary was even in the NY Times...) but for the most part, my searches yield not much of anything. When I do come across something-- even something tiny-- I consider it cause for celebration. Mega celebration.
Learning about my ancestors is really gratifying. Sometimes I'll find a quality we have in common or a similar interest. I have a bit of an imagination, so when I come across a simple record or new piece of information, I like to picture what's going on in their life and imagine how they maybe felt or how whatever the incident was, how it impacted their family. All of them are remarkable people. George Tilton was a devoted husband and father, not to mention a tested servant of the Lord. He served in many capacities and was ultimately ordained a member of the Seventy. His wife, Emma, gave birth to EIGHT children and was always supportive of George in his community involvement and tiresome church service. George has said their home in Downey, Idaho was the town's social center. All of their children went on to be successful in their personal lives and in their careers. My great-grandpa, George Osmond, became an attorney and also served as a temple sealer in the Washington D.C. Temple. His brothers Rosel (FHCC Chairman) and Donald (also a lawyer) also settled in D.C. Daughter Emma died at age 19 and I have yet to discover why/how. I don't know much about her, but hopefully I will come across helpful records as I continue searching. Erma Hyde (Emma's twin sister) married in the SLC Temple, raised a family with her husband Willis Brim, and also served in many church capacities, including stake primary president for nearly 15 years (holy cow-- that's a LONG time) and a missionary in the Central States Mission with her husband. Son Charles graduated from the U of U and then the University of Colorado and practiced as a physician in SLC and Nevada. Youngest son Reed honorably served as a pilot in WWII, but died in action at age 33 and was buried in a military cemetery in Surrey, England.
Anyway, the library "get out now" music is playing, so I've gotta wrap this up. My point is, I have come to love my ancestors. :) They rock, to say the least, and I'm grateful to be counted among their posterity. Also, I have gained a real testimony of family history work this semester. I'm excited and anxious to move on to researching other families in my heritage in future years, and, although no expert or lifetime devotee, I recommend genealogy work to anyone looking for serious satisfaction, increased love/appreciation for their heritage, and a spiritual boost. :)
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