William and Sarah moved onto a farm in the Starline district with their five children and in 1910 Victor was added to the family and in 1916 Mary was born. Mary died in young childhood at the age of eleven and a half.
William Davies bought and farmed several parcels of land in the Starline district and was a very successful farmer from 1908 until his death in 1935. Sarah and sons Glenn and Charlie farmed a few years, then Sarah moved to Claresholm, then on Christmas day in 1945 she passed away after several years of failing health
Janie married Harry Taitinger, a son of Nick Taitinger. George married Carrie McMurray of Cardston. Ivan married Rachel Lepard of Claresholm. glen remained unmarried. Charlie was married to Zelpha Newby of Lethbridge and victor married Mabel Johnson of Claresholm. There were nineteen grandchildren.
Showing posts with label McMurray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McMurray. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Caroline McMurray Davies
I found this short bio on my grandmother- I don't know what it was written for, but it is just a short, concise piece:
Caroline McMurray was the 9th child of James S. McMurray and Sarah Orr. She was born on march 11, 1902 in Orton, Alberta, Canada. Her parents and seven siblings moved from Idaho in march. It was cold and windy, they had no house, and lived in a tent for a few weeks. Being very windy in March many times her parents and older brothers would stand outside and hold down the tent poles.
Carrie, as she was called, also had a younger sister named Lila. They were the only ones born in Canada.
When Carrie was nine her mother died of a rare disease. Lila was only four months old. Carrie was very sad and lonesome. Her older sisters helped take care of her and little Lila. Before her mother died, Carrie would stand at her side with a fan to help keep the flies from bothering her.
She attended school to sixth grade. She lived with some of her older siblings to help take care of their children. Late she worked for several different families helping with housework. While she was doing that kind of work she met George Davies and they were married.
About 18 months after George died in 1957 she attendend Nursing School in Calgary and became a successful Nursing aid and worked at three different hospitals until she retired.
She died June 1, 1981 after being ill with Parkinson's disease.
Caroline McMurray was the 9th child of James S. McMurray and Sarah Orr. She was born on march 11, 1902 in Orton, Alberta, Canada. Her parents and seven siblings moved from Idaho in march. It was cold and windy, they had no house, and lived in a tent for a few weeks. Being very windy in March many times her parents and older brothers would stand outside and hold down the tent poles.
Carrie, as she was called, also had a younger sister named Lila. They were the only ones born in Canada.
When Carrie was nine her mother died of a rare disease. Lila was only four months old. Carrie was very sad and lonesome. Her older sisters helped take care of her and little Lila. Before her mother died, Carrie would stand at her side with a fan to help keep the flies from bothering her.
She attended school to sixth grade. She lived with some of her older siblings to help take care of their children. Late she worked for several different families helping with housework. While she was doing that kind of work she met George Davies and they were married.
About 18 months after George died in 1957 she attendend Nursing School in Calgary and became a successful Nursing aid and worked at three different hospitals until she retired.
She died June 1, 1981 after being ill with Parkinson's disease.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Last Names - Middle Names
John Stevenson 1806-1862 - married to Mary Vickers 1814-1867
father of
Elizabeth Stevenson 1838-1914 - married to James Hutton McMurray
mother of
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
John McMurray 1798-1853
husband of
Mary Hutton 1801-1896
mother & father of
James Hutton McMurray 1829-1919- married to Elizabeth Stevenson
father of
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948
father of
Elizabeth Stevenson 1838-1914 - married to James Hutton McMurray
mother of
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
John McMurray 1798-1853
husband of
Mary Hutton 1801-1896
mother & father of
James Hutton McMurray 1829-1919- married to Elizabeth Stevenson
father of
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Grandma Davies Sugar Cookies
Recipe for Grandma Davies Sugar Cookies
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
Mix the dry ingredients together. Work in the butter like pie crust (use a pastry cutter or two knives). Make a well in the center and drop in 1 egg, add 1 cup sour cream. ( may need a little more, but just enough to make a soft dough. Roll 1/8 inch thick, cut, sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in 375 degree oven until light straw color. Cool on counter.
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
Mix the dry ingredients together. Work in the butter like pie crust (use a pastry cutter or two knives). Make a well in the center and drop in 1 egg, add 1 cup sour cream. ( may need a little more, but just enough to make a soft dough. Roll 1/8 inch thick, cut, sprinkle with sugar.Bake 8 to 10 minutes in 375 degree oven until light straw color. Cool on counter.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I Had a Grandma Who Baked
It totally goes without saying that if I am going to research and report about my Grandma Davies I have to tell about her fabulous, famous, Sugar Cookies. Maybe they were only famous with her grandchildren, but to us they were (and still are) the only true sugar cookie.
She rolled them out on the counter and cut the big round cookies with her cookie cutter...but one time when she was visiting us and she didn't have her cookie cutter with her, she took a can of fruit (we ate the fruit), took the top and bottom off the can and made sure there were no sharp edges and then she used it for her cookie cutter. She told me that before she got a cookie cutter she had always used a can for cutting out the cookies.
She rolled them out on the counter and cut the big round cookies with her cookie cutter...but one time when she was visiting us and she didn't have her cookie cutter with her, she took a can of fruit (we ate the fruit), took the top and bottom off the can and made sure there were no sharp edges and then she used it for her cookie cutter. She told me that before she got a cookie cutter she had always used a can for cutting out the cookies.
Monday, September 5, 2011
James Stevenson McMurray 1863-1948
James Stevenson McMurray - my great-grandfather, was married to Sarah Ann Orr. She was the third child of Richard and Caroline Orr.
My mother, Glenna Davies had these memories of him: "Grandpa McMurray made cedar chests for his daughter Carrie and Lila and for some of his granddaughters. He didn't come to Carmangay very often, but one time he came and built some steps on the front porch ... before that time we had had quite a struggle to get up on the porch. Grandpa was a quiet man, but was always up early. He liked to exercise and he tried to eat healthy and nutritious food."
In 1946, Mable McMurray Hull helped Grandfather McMurray by scribing this short history. These were his words:
"I was born at Grantsville, Utah, U.S.A., 13 July 1863 and lived with my parents until 1870 when they were called to settle Bear Lake Co. at Liberty, Idaho. I also lived there with them.
In 1901, I moved to Canada. There was an impelling feeling that prompted me to come to Canada. Josiah Orr and family, Alfred Sillitoe, George Sillitoe, and J.T. Derricott all came together. We sent a delegation to Cardston- to Stake President Card and he told us there was not better place to settle so we got busy and settled where Orton is today. I had three quarter sections of land and had a struggle to pay for them. We had good crops till 1909, and in 1910 it was very dry and only summer fallow was worth cutting. I figured on 12,000 bushels and got 1,200. In 1911, it was very wet, froze and rusted. All my children except for my two youngest were born n the United States.
I buried my first wife, Sarah, on 28 August 1909. she died of blood poisoning brought on by Erysipelas. Lila was the baby, just 4 months old. Lottie was about 17 and the oldest living girl. She helped by looking after things. There were 9 children at home."
. . . more later
My mother, Glenna Davies had these memories of him: "Grandpa McMurray made cedar chests for his daughter Carrie and Lila and for some of his granddaughters. He didn't come to Carmangay very often, but one time he came and built some steps on the front porch ... before that time we had had quite a struggle to get up on the porch. Grandpa was a quiet man, but was always up early. He liked to exercise and he tried to eat healthy and nutritious food."
In 1946, Mable McMurray Hull helped Grandfather McMurray by scribing this short history. These were his words:
"I was born at Grantsville, Utah, U.S.A., 13 July 1863 and lived with my parents until 1870 when they were called to settle Bear Lake Co. at Liberty, Idaho. I also lived there with them.
In 1901, I moved to Canada. There was an impelling feeling that prompted me to come to Canada. Josiah Orr and family, Alfred Sillitoe, George Sillitoe, and J.T. Derricott all came together. We sent a delegation to Cardston- to Stake President Card and he told us there was not better place to settle so we got busy and settled where Orton is today. I had three quarter sections of land and had a struggle to pay for them. We had good crops till 1909, and in 1910 it was very dry and only summer fallow was worth cutting. I figured on 12,000 bushels and got 1,200. In 1911, it was very wet, froze and rusted. All my children except for my two youngest were born n the United States.
I buried my first wife, Sarah, on 28 August 1909. she died of blood poisoning brought on by Erysipelas. Lila was the baby, just 4 months old. Lottie was about 17 and the oldest living girl. She helped by looking after things. There were 9 children at home."
. . . more later
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Caroline Derricott - Grandmother to my Grandmother
Caroline Derricott, was born October 1, 1843 at Oakengates, Shropshire, England. She was from a family of 12 children. Her father was Charles Derricott who was born in England in 1806.
Caroline was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was a young girl. Those who joined the Mormon church at that time were baptized at night because the people were so bitter against those who joined.
The family moved to Neuslain, Willinghall, England due to persecution.
She met her intended husband Richard Hoar, when she was about 18 years old. Richard was considering going to America to Zion so he got consent of Caroline's parents to go with them and they would be married in Zion. At this point in time it was not possible to marry anyone outside of your own class or title and so he would not have been able to marry Caroline in England.
My grandmother- Caroline McMurray
Her mother - Sarah Ann Orr (my great-grandmother)
Her grandmother - Caroline Derricott (my great-great grandmother)
to be continued...
Caroline was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she was a young girl. Those who joined the Mormon church at that time were baptized at night because the people were so bitter against those who joined.
The family moved to Neuslain, Willinghall, England due to persecution.
She met her intended husband Richard Hoar, when she was about 18 years old. Richard was considering going to America to Zion so he got consent of Caroline's parents to go with them and they would be married in Zion. At this point in time it was not possible to marry anyone outside of your own class or title and so he would not have been able to marry Caroline in England.
My grandmother- Caroline McMurray
Her mother - Sarah Ann Orr (my great-grandmother)
Her grandmother - Caroline Derricott (my great-great grandmother)
to be continued...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Caroline - the Garden and the Chickens
Carrie loved helping Mrs. Davies with the garden and with the chickens. She enjoyed weeding the garden early in the morning before it go too hot. She could be alone outside, and could daydream about George, and how wonderful it was when he kissed her. She daydreamed about the possibility of George and her having a place of their own someday.
She took good care of the chickens and also learned how to chop off the head and pluck the feathers and get that chicken in the pot quickly.
The Davies seemed to all be waiting and watching to see how quickly she learned everything and before you could "shake a stick" they were getting married; George was 27 and Carrie was 23. They lived in a two room house north east of Claresholm for a few years until they could buy a farm.
She took good care of the chickens and also learned how to chop off the head and pluck the feathers and get that chicken in the pot quickly.The Davies seemed to all be waiting and watching to see how quickly she learned everything and before you could "shake a stick" they were getting married; George was 27 and Carrie was 23. They lived in a two room house north east of Claresholm for a few years until they could buy a farm.
Friday Family Story . . . Carrie McMurray - Working
After staying at her different brother's homes and having the opportunity to see different ways of doing things she was feeling rather grown-up and felt she was ready to be out on her own.
Growing up in southern Alberta there were not many jobs available for a young girl who wanted to earn some money. Many girls hired themselves out as a helper to a farmer's wife. A hired girl could be the one taking care of the children, or doing the laundry, helping with cooking or even taking care of the animals. They could usually count on making about one dollar a week. During this time a dollar of cash money was worth a lot. It meant they could use the money for the necessities of life instead of going without or using credit. No one ever really wanted to go into debt because there was too much chance that they would not have the money to pay when it came due.
Carrie got a job on the cook wagon for a threshing crew. She had to provide three meals a day for a bunch of hungry men. This was really hard work, but she learned a great deal and then was ready for another new adventure.
The next opportunity/adventure came in the chance to work on the Davies farm located east of Claresholm in the Starlight District in southern Alberta. The work on that farm was just as hard as at my own home, but the Davies boys were all so handsome: George, Ivan, Glen, Charlie, and Victor. the older sister, Janie had moved away and little Mary was too young to help. Mrs. Davies really needed help. the boys were all big enough to hlep, but they were always our helping with the farm, so she really needed my help. i certainly never dreamed that one day she would be my mother-in-law. Maybe she knew, and that was why she was so nice to me. She was kind and patient and made sure I knew how to fix all the family favorites. She taught me many different ways to serve potatoes, and how to make a nice flaky pie crust so I could make a chicken pot pie or a fruit pie.
... to be continued
Growing up in southern Alberta there were not many jobs available for a young girl who wanted to earn some money. Many girls hired themselves out as a helper to a farmer's wife. A hired girl could be the one taking care of the children, or doing the laundry, helping with cooking or even taking care of the animals. They could usually count on making about one dollar a week. During this time a dollar of cash money was worth a lot. It meant they could use the money for the necessities of life instead of going without or using credit. No one ever really wanted to go into debt because there was too much chance that they would not have the money to pay when it came due.
Carrie got a job on the cook wagon for a threshing crew. She had to provide three meals a day for a bunch of hungry men. This was really hard work, but she learned a great deal and then was ready for another new adventure.
The next opportunity/adventure came in the chance to work on the Davies farm located east of Claresholm in the Starlight District in southern Alberta. The work on that farm was just as hard as at my own home, but the Davies boys were all so handsome: George, Ivan, Glen, Charlie, and Victor. the older sister, Janie had moved away and little Mary was too young to help. Mrs. Davies really needed help. the boys were all big enough to hlep, but they were always our helping with the farm, so she really needed my help. i certainly never dreamed that one day she would be my mother-in-law. Maybe she knew, and that was why she was so nice to me. She was kind and patient and made sure I knew how to fix all the family favorites. She taught me many different ways to serve potatoes, and how to make a nice flaky pie crust so I could make a chicken pot pie or a fruit pie.... to be continued
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thursday Thoughts . . . . Caroline McMurray
Happiness does not just happen; you have to work really hard for it, and still it comes in its own time.
In 1909, when Caroline McMurray was a young girl of seven, she saw her mother die from errasipitus. She remembered fanning her mother to keep the flies off her up in her bedroom in the days before she died. Her little sister, Lila was 4 months old, so she really missed having a mom, as did the four older brothers and four older sisters.
After a while(1914) her dad married a young girl from England just two years, who was to be the new stepmother. There was lots of work to do marrying into a family with so many children, and she made them all work hard.
She didn't teach, instead just yelled at the kids to get the work done. Carrie would have loved to be taught how to make bread, grow a garden, keep a tidy English home and take care of the chickens, but instead she resented Elizabeth trying to take her mother's place and wanted to get away.
She wasn't very nice to the kids, so Carrie quit school early and went to stay and help out at some of her older brother's homes. Eventually she felt like she had worn out her welcome and that she needed a new place to go.
...to be continued.
In 1909, when Caroline McMurray was a young girl of seven, she saw her mother die from errasipitus. She remembered fanning her mother to keep the flies off her up in her bedroom in the days before she died. Her little sister, Lila was 4 months old, so she really missed having a mom, as did the four older brothers and four older sisters.
She didn't teach, instead just yelled at the kids to get the work done. Carrie would have loved to be taught how to make bread, grow a garden, keep a tidy English home and take care of the chickens, but instead she resented Elizabeth trying to take her mother's place and wanted to get away.
She wasn't very nice to the kids, so Carrie quit school early and went to stay and help out at some of her older brother's homes. Eventually she felt like she had worn out her welcome and that she needed a new place to go.
...to be continued.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
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
I have been looking at it a lot, looking at pictures, looking at dates, and I got to thinking about her siblings.
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
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tender Tears
It is true -- once you start delving into your family history you start to feel really connected with those relatives or ancestors.
Since I chose to do my first research and story finding about my Grandma Davies I have been thinking about her a lot. My feelings are so close to the surface and I had tears collecting as I had so many memories about her. She was really an amazing woman and really didn't have an easy life..
Her husband (William George Davies) died on the 18th birthday of her youngest child, Murray Davies. Her two daughters were already married by then, as Murray was 11 years younger than his sister, Glenna (my mom). Glenna Elaine Davies was married to Allan King Fowler, and Shirley Maxine Davies was married to Walter Joseph Griffin.
Grandpa Davies was a dry-land farmer in southern Alberta, Canada. What a difficult time that must have been, to be widowed early and to now have to take care of herself and her son. Grandma knew that there was really no way that she could take care of the farm with just herself and her son. Her decision was to sell the farm, and move into town and learn a skill or a trade. At the time she didn't have much more than a sixth grade education (very typical for those days).She went to school to become a CNA or nurses' aid and she worked that skill for the remainder of her working days.
The watch she wore while going to school and while working as a nurse was one that my mom had bought for her dad- it was the only watch he ever owned- but that is a story for another day.
Since I chose to do my first research and story finding about my Grandma Davies I have been thinking about her a lot. My feelings are so close to the surface and I had tears collecting as I had so many memories about her. She was really an amazing woman and really didn't have an easy life..
Her husband (William George Davies) died on the 18th birthday of her youngest child, Murray Davies. Her two daughters were already married by then, as Murray was 11 years younger than his sister, Glenna (my mom). Glenna Elaine Davies was married to Allan King Fowler, and Shirley Maxine Davies was married to Walter Joseph Griffin.
Grandpa Davies was a dry-land farmer in southern Alberta, Canada. What a difficult time that must have been, to be widowed early and to now have to take care of herself and her son. Grandma knew that there was really no way that she could take care of the farm with just herself and her son. Her decision was to sell the farm, and move into town and learn a skill or a trade. At the time she didn't have much more than a sixth grade education (very typical for those days).She went to school to become a CNA or nurses' aid and she worked that skill for the remainder of her working days.
The watch she wore while going to school and while working as a nurse was one that my mom had bought for her dad- it was the only watch he ever owned- but that is a story for another day.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Googling Grandma
Here is what I found: there was a link to her obituary in Calgary paper. It showed her death date as June 3rd, 1981, the obituary ran two days in the paper on June 4th and 5th, 1981.(Where was I at that time? How old was I? I need to know these things to put everything into perspective)
It says she was 79 when she died, I had never bothered to figure that out before. My mom is 83, and still lives alone and takes care of herself. My grandma had been in a rest home for a number of years (I need to find that out) with Parkinson's disease.(This post qualifies as "Gold flecks" because even though I found information- I need to search deeper- for facts to find out some more details.)
There was also a link to one of grandma's brothers - Milford - it showed several pieces of information about him, but one thing that was wrong was it listed one of his sisters being named Hattie, and her name was really Lottie.
It shows how important to use primary sources and not just take what you find on the internet as true.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
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.
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:
Monday, July 18, 2011
What Names Will I find?
- McMurray
- Orr
- Nowlin
- Davies
- Fowler
- King
- Bradshaw
- Stevenson
I know Jabus Nowlin got his nose shot off in an Indian skirmish- my mom told me that when I needed an interesting ancestor story. However, I am not quite sure how I am related to the Nowlins. These are some of the things I want to know.
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