How I Got Started: My Mother

When I got married, my mom handed me one of those old style Book of Remembrance. Being a genealogist, of course, I still have it. It is light blue, long and short with a soft cover. In it were stored a handful of family group records. Some hand written and others typed (yes, typed on a type writer). The pages contained names, dates and when done, ordinances. It was my beginning. My starting place.Those very bits of information that my mom had collected and saved.  I don't know if my mom felt inspired to give this to me or she felt that since I was now living in Salt Lake, I might be her only hope in getting something going on my dad's side of the family - the non LDS side of the family. The side ready and waiting!

So, I owe my start in genealogy to my mother. With those bits of information I was able to walk into the Family History Library in Salt Lake and begin what would become my life's work. At the time, I didn't know that genealogy was my life's work but my ancestors knew it and encouraged me and still do. Over the years, my ancestors have waited on me while I have pursed my other life's work - that of a mother. (So far,  I have found two main purposes to my life- my children and my ancestors). The bond I have developed with those ancestors that have waited on me is very strong.

Now, almost 19 years later, I want to thank my mom for giving me my start in genealogy. She encouraged me and I accepted that invitation. As stated in the Doctrine and Covenants: For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul.

Jilline