Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Newspaper Search for Celebration

MyHeritage.com has a really great newspaper search engine for their large database of papers. We teach a couple of classes at the FHL (Family History Library) highlighting this database. Here is what they have to say about the use of newspapers in family history.
"Our historical newspaper collection can give you a glimpse into the world of your ancestors that would be hard to find anywhere else. Find obituaries, and announcements about births, engagements and marriages. Read accounts of local sports, school, and community events.
Newspapers can bring to life the communities your families were living in, be it small town or a big city. Newspapers are an indispensable resource for historical and genealogical research. They help you to fill in the gaps in your family tree and turn names on a page into real people."
My father (Ralph W Firth) will be celebrating his 80th birthday on July 6 so in honor of this event I searched for my grandfather, and found the newspaper article from when he had his 80th birthday.
I remember this day very well. My cousins came from California to celebrate with us and I had a new dress from a dance I went to that I wore. Afterward I took my cousin Lori to The Dipper, a drive in, that was the local hangout, for a coke.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Invitation from my Mission President

My Mission President has asked us to share this letter with friends and family. We are in need of more missionaries who are willing to participate in working in family history.

The Call

I was called to be a Church Service Missionary in the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission. I am a trainer at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. I really enjoy the time I spend there. It is so interesting to get to meet all the other missionaries as well as getting to teach a subject I love. I really work with some amazing people in my zone.
Since getting this call I have had so many experiences learning about my ancestors. My testimony has grown and the Spirit of Elijah has become almost tangible in me.