Category: Stories

A Father’s Example in Family History

In publishing blog articles I rarely write about my own family. However, since we just celebrated Father’s Day I thought I’d share a few thoughts about my dad—and of course, family history. You see, my dad was the one who first got me interested in genealogy and family history. I remember going into his office as a youth and seeing...

Don’t Forget the Aunts and Uncles

Note: This article by Dave Castleton appeared previously in the Granite Family History Center blog site. A few years ago I wrote a history of my father. He died quite young, and my children and grandchildren did not get to know him. I wanted to help them learn about his life and experiences. As I began writing, I realized I...

Grandpa’s Storybook

For my most recent birthday I got an interesting and unusual gift—”Grandpa’s Storybook.” At first I thought it would be a collection of stories to read to grandkids, but then I realized it was actually a journal … with a twist. Instead of a blank spaces to write what happens each day, or an invitation to write a life story,...

Sharing Family History, Part 4

Note: This article by Janet Helland appeared previously on the Granite Family History Center blog site and is used with the author’s permission.       Memories “There isn’t a person you wouldn’t love if you could read their story.” -Marjorie P. Hinckley “The best loved stories are not from books or films but those from our own families.” -Jayne...

Telling the Stories of All 400,000+ US World War II Fallen

Note: This article is by Don Milne, creator of Stories Behind the Stars. Flash forward four years to 2025. Take your smartphone to your local cemetery and look for the gravesite of any of the 400,000+ World War II fallen. Use the Stories Behind the Stars app and scan the name of the fallen person with your phone camera. Instantly,...

Memories From My Basement

Note: This article by Cheryl Ferrara was originally posted on the Sandy Granite family history center’s blog site and is used with the center’s permission. Often good things come to us through our struggles. One of the blessings I have received while navigating my way through pandemic restrictions and limitations has been the gift of time. My mother passed away...

Christmas Traditions in the UK

There are many Christmas traditions that we hold dear in Britain. Yet, many of us do not know where these traditions came from. We’ve been having a closer look at the origins of some of our most beloved traditions and we think that what we’ve found out might just surprise you. Christmas Markets A Christmas Market has become a staple...

A Mayflower Story

This coming November marks the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower ship. There are many noteworthy stories of Mayflower passengers and history; a notable recounting is on the Mayflower Story website. I have several friends who are direct descendants of William Brewster, a passenger who became the leader of the Plymouth Colony. However, my Mayflower ancestors, John Howland and...

Pioneers, Across the Years

On July 24, many in the United States will celebrate Pioneer Day, honoring the day when the first wagons of the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Amid great persecution, they left their homes and lands and made the Utah desert blossom as the rose. Their stories are well-documented, and you can find many of them on the internet...

Putting Your Ancestor into Historical Context

In my last blog post, I used several examples from my research of Gideon Tripp and his father-in-law Benjamin Watts, along with both of their families. I worked on these two families as part of a research project for a class I took earlier this year. As I was researching their residence in Sangamon County, Illinois from the mid 1830’s...