What was Happening in 1949?

1949

This is the year that my mother, Glenna, met my father, Allan.

What else was happening that year?

• Minimum wage is set at $.75 an hour
• South Pacific , a musical by Rogers and Hammerstein
• Records cut- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Ghost Riders in the Sky; Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend; Mona Lisa
• New radio show - Dragnet
• T.V. shows - The Life of Riley; the Lone Ranger
• The New York Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers to take the World Series
• Silly Putty is introduced
• Tokyo Rose goes on trial

It helps you put things in perspective to see what was going on around family members as important personal milestones where happening.

The "Monarch of the Sea" and beyond...

Caroline's parents wanted their children to go to Zion as they already had one daughter in Zion who had gone across the plains with a handcart company.

In May 1861, Richard and Caroline set sail for America on a sailing vessel called the "Monarch of the Sea".  They were married June 18, 1861 the day before they landed in New York Harbor.  they were married by Elder Jabus Woodward; he had presided over the group on this voyage. they stayed a year in New York to make some money for their journey to Zion.  In spring 1862, they made their way to Winter Quarters, Florence, Nebraska. In May 1862, they hired out to Wagon Master John R. Young.  Richard was to act as teamster to four yoke of cattle wagons of merchandise from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake city for the John R. Murdoch Company.  Caroline also had to drive a team.

more to come....

Caroline Orr's parents - 
Charles Derricott 1803-1885
Mary Ashley 1805-1885

Richard Charles Orr's parents - 

Charles Hoar 1813-1887
Elizabeth Webb 1816-1841

McMurray Family Group Sheet

I have in my possession a family group sheet where my grandmother, Caroline McMurray was a child in the family. This family group sheet is especially special because it has pictures of all the people.

I have been looking at it a lot, looking at pictures, looking at dates, and I got to thinking about her siblings.

Caroline McMurray was the second youngest in a family of 10 children.  Her younger sister, Lila Leora McMurray was Aunt Lila-"with the white hair".  I don't think we called her that to her face but my sisters and I always referred to her that way because on my dad's side we had another Aunt Lila and this was a way to differentiate. Her white hair was really beautiful and she was just a lovely and gracious person. Caroline and Lila were the only children in that family who were born after them moved to Canada. the other eight siblings were born in the United States.

I also remember an Aunt Jennie, but I think as a kid I really didn't know how she was my aunt. Now I sit here looking at this picture from long ago- probably her wedding picture for 25 March 1913- I can see her face in that picture. I wish I had paid more attention.

Today, as I am holding this family group sheet in my hands and it caused me to wonder "Why don't I know or remember any of the others?"  The answer: they all died before I was born or when I was very young.

Here is a list of her family:
Father- James Stevenson McMurray   born: 13 July 1863 - died:22 June 1948
Mother- Sarah Ann Orr    born: 20 Dec 1867 - died: 29 Aug 1901
Brother- Joseph McMurray   born: 9 Feb 1887 - died 28 Sept 1958
Brother - Parley McMurray    born: 25 Sept 1888 - died:22 Nov 1940
Sister - Sadie McMurray    born: 8 Sept 1890 - died: 15 Mar 1891 - she was just a baby
Sister -Lottie McMurray    born: 2 Mar 1892 - died: 7 Oct 1916
Sister - Jennie McMurray    born: 17 Dec 1893 - died
Sister - Eva McMurray    born: 27 July 1896 - died: 19 Feb 1920
Brother - Milford McMurray    born: 15 Dec 1897 - died: 12 Sept 1950
Brother - Richard McMurray    born: 12 Oct 1900 - died: 5 Mar 1952

Self - Caroline McMurray    born: 11 March 1902 - died 3 June 1981

Sister- Lila Leora McMurray   born: 7 Apr 1909 - died        

Caroline McMurray Davies

Defining My Quest

After thinking about it for a week, I made a decision on who or what will be my first family history quest.

I want to delve into the life and history of my maternal grandmother, Caroline McMurray Davies. I have many memories of my grandmother, and since my mother is still alive I can get additional information about her mother that I would have no other way of finding out.

I will find information and interesting stories about her, but also want to track down documents and photographs and whatever else is available.

My Grandmother: Caroline McMurray

Parents: James Stevenson McMurray & Sarah Ann Orr

Born: March 11, 1902

Place: Orton, Alberta, Canada

Married: William George Davies

Date: January 29, 1929

Died: June 3, 1981

Place:     

Friday Family Story... Birth Certificate

Allan King Fowler  -- gold dust, just a little family history tidbit

So I found out that my dad's birth certificate is wrong!

My father- Allan King Fowler, was born on February 28, 1928.  At least, that is what we always thought.
However, in talking to my Great-Aunt Doris, she tells me that he was actually born on February 29th. Doris Fowler Komm was the youngest sister of Douglas Bradshaw Fowler.

Douglas Bradshaw Fowler was my grandfather, but he was also the local family doctor in southern Alberta. So, when his wife, Louise King Fowler was ready to deliver their baby it was actually born on February 29th in a leap year. He didn't want his son to only have a birthday every 4 years, so he just changed the birth date on the birth certificate.

My Dad: Allan King Fowler

Parents: Douglas Bradshaw Fowler and Louise King Fowler

Born: February 28, 1928

Place: Magrath, Alberta, Canada