Friday, February 5, 2010
Family History Consultant
My calling in the ward right now is the Family History Consultant. I've been working on my family history for over 10 years. It's been really exciting learning about my ancestors. The only other person to really work on the White Family, my father's side of our family, was my aunt so there was and still is really a lot to discover. Are any of you interested in family history?
Linda Smith and her husband have done a lot of research for me on the Isle of Wight where they are living right now. Verbal history passed down through the years say that the William White family immigrated from the Isle of Wight to America in about 1660. If anyone is interested I'd love to go into more detail on my family history but I don't want to bore everyone. Only another family history fanatic can relate to my talking about family history all the time.
My favorite callings have been in the Primary. I loved leading the music and teaching the children. I have been able to use my degree in Elementary Education in all my callings and with my own children and grandchildren, but it really came in handy when serving in the primary. The children love everything that you do and it is really rewarding. They are so excited about participating and learning and are like little sponges that soak up everything.
My most challenging calling was probably when I was in the Stake Young Women's Presidency working with the young women. There were so many activities and meetings to attend each week. I probably learned the most from this calling because I realized how much effort, time and commitment that it takes our leaders to prepare and provide wholesome activities for the youth. The young people today are so intelligent and strong. They really need to be with everything that is going on in the world.
I've really grown from all my callings and participation in the Church. I've really had to stretch and push myself out of my comfort zone to fulfill most of them. Experience in one area has helped me move on to fulfill another calling. I've also learned to deal with challenges and new learning experiences that I probably wouldn't have experienced in other areas of my life.
What are some of the Church responsibilities that you are now participating in and which ones have you enjoyed or learned the most from? I love to read your comments and posts.
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17 comments:
Hi, Kathy,
Over the years in my Catholic church I have been part of the choir, the welcome committee, various Bible and book studies, and the "grunt" work of setting up, preparing food and cleaning up for gatherings that center around themes such as sacraments, holy days and saints. I am also a member of St. Vincent de Paul, a service organization. (Over the holidays we delivered food boxes and toys, and seasonally, we collect clothing and appliances.) I need to get more involved, because each of those activities is sporadic.
I enjoy reading about family history. I'm glad you've been able to pursue yours with the common name of "White." I found out an ancestor of mine was on the Mayflower, but I don't know much more. Did you use your church's extensive archives to research or a software program?
I'm having a terrible time with my paternal great grandparents information. They came from Bristol England, and were vaudeville entertainers. They were all over the place on the show biz "circuit". They use to be on the same bill with Sophie Tucker. One side was kin to Capt. Morgan the pirate. (my son loves that story) Just no real information beyond that. Don't know how to track.
The sad fact is that as my son has gotten bigger with his autism issues (can't handle loud noises or crowds) I went from Sunday School teacher to Sunday hermit. Use to be able to use the nursery, but what 14 year old can handle that. I find most churches are not open to accommodating families like ours. We are the shut ins you don't hear much about. My ministry in life is the pro bono work I do for families with their IEP's at schools.
Kathy,
I enjoy doing genealogy. I have it all on Ancestry.com. My side and my kids father's side is done.
I have also researched the Osmond Family and also have researched some of Wayne's brothers wives families.
I don't mind if you share your side of the family.
Julie
I have to say my most difficult calling was being the ward Relief Society President. I'm currently in the Stake YW Presidency and I too am amazed at how much planning and activities we plan. Such a greater appreciation.
I would love to hear all about the White family! :) I love my family history class, isn't that new family search the best?
My Church calling is Activities committee but I am rarely at the activities as I work nights and weekends, and that's when the activities are. I don't think I am suited for my calling.
My father was American and, when my parents split up, he went back to America and got married again and had a new family. About 10 years ago I decided to try and trace the family as I wanted to get to know my half siblings (both my parents had passed away by then). It was while I was trying to trace them that I got intersted in tracing my Family Tree on my Dads side.
At that time I couldn't afford the subscriptions to any of the Genealogy sites so I'd use up all the 'Free for 14 Days' trials and spend every moment looking through census' etc. I was hooked on it. Its my favourite pastime. I've only managed to go back to the 1840's though and I'm stuck there at the moment.
I did find my step family eventually and when I told them about the Family Tree and asked them a few questions about my Dad's family, they just said they didn't know much and they didn't seem in the least bit interested. It's so frustrating knowing that they probably have a lot of old photos and papers that I would find interesting.(Actually I was more than a bit annoyed to be honest.) But I'm still enjoying it and I'll soldier on.
By the way Kathy, I live just about a 1 hour ferry ride away from the Isle of Wight in a City called Southampton. I've been there many times...:)
Jane x
I have been doing this for 40 years.
Olive Osmond and I used to help each other.
I was looking for Orth and she obviously Osmond.
If we found anyone we would pass it on.
It has been a life saver for me. I have Fibro and chronic migraine and IBS. I seldom leave the house, but since the internet I have gone back so far. The last 10 years have been so much more fruitful than the previous 30.
Please share. I have Whites too.
I first started out teaching infants in the Nursery. One of which has Rett Syndrome, a neuralogical disorder. (a challenge that I emjoyed). I taught the same children who now have grown up into teenagers, which is an altogether different kind of challenge. (who ask a lot of challenging questions) This week I was asked to lead the ladies class because the teacher is out of town. I like it.
Talking about stepping out of your comfort zone, last year we had a ladies day program and i volunteer to be the greeter, since I missed the pervious year I thought a greeter was someone who stood at the door and welcomed the people there. But I soon found out a greeter was someone who opened the program before the speakers went on. I had to say a few words then offer a prayer. Let me tell you that is way out of my comfort zone. I was so nervous but felt really good afterwards
As for family tree, my brother and I, along with my dad, have been doing research into our family tree but we have become stuck on seven generations back. We know where they come from but can not find anyone before them. But it's a fun way to spend time.
I just had to respond to Carla above when I saw she mentioned the Mayflower. My husband is a member of the Greater Society of Mayflower Desendents. He is a desendent of John Howland. It's alot of work but was worth it when he was accepted. You have to be able to prove everything back to the person who was on the Mayflower by providing birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates. He went ahead and included our childrens birth certificates so they can have a easier time if they choose to join.
And to Kathy, my husband is also a White from the Maryland and New Jersey areas. I enjoy reading your blogs and would like to hear more about your family as well.
In my Catholic Church I teach the 3rd Grade children. I have been doing all different ages for the past decade and love it. This year the 3rd Grade is receiving a sacrament, Holy Communion. My 13 year old son is helping with the Communion Retreat which makes me proud. He also is doing Community Service projects in preparation for another sacrament, Confirmation.
I bought a Family Tree Journal to write in last year but have yet to use it. However, I did write a few notes down about my Mother's side of the family. It's on my to-do list to get to Ancestry.com.
Let's see. I'm a youth leader for the Youth Department. The ages are 12-18 year olds. I've been doing that for 5 years.
I sing in my church choir. I've been doing that for 5 years too. I'm a bad alto. Sometimes I can carry a note, and sometimes I can't hit those high notes.
My church has a mentorship program that meets once a month. I'm with the Kids between the ages of 7-9. We do different stuff every month and we teach them different subjects like managing money, how to decorate, career and etc. I've been doing that for 3 years now.
I'm also a clerk. My job is to make sure we all have the paper work in the classes. The classes are Membership, Holy Spirit and Ministry of Helps. You have to take all three classes to work in any department.
Ramona,
Thank you for the information on the Greater Society of Mayflower Descendents! My mom has talked to some relatives recently who have been doing geneology, so I will pass along this information.
Pretty exciting!
I love genealogy too.....my husband decends from some Mayflower passengers, the Fuller line is one of them...He also shares a line of Waynes too,the Younges line. Thats going back some years though.
I currently have a calling in Primary and love working with all the children, so rewarding.
Ancestry.com is excellent and so is Scotlands People if you have Scottish ancestors.
I love genealogy, too. It is fun to find out who my ancestors are. I have one lineage that is traced back to Adam. Which I find amazing! On the newfamilysearch website I was able to connect with a relative who had done alot of genealgoy on the Robinson family line which goes back through England, Scotland, and then Ireland. Lots of royalty and dukedoms.
My current calling is teaching Adult Gospel Doctrine class in my ward. My ward has two gospel doctrine classes. So far, I've really had to stretch out of my comfort zone. The least calling I would ever expect to have in the church has become my ultramost favorite calling aside of other callings I have had over the years. I have my silent moments in class which makes my husband really nervous as he wants me to keep on talking...when I get a brainfreeze and not know what to say next...I am learning to overcome it. I do enjoy teaching gospel doctrine class.
My testimony continues to grow in ways I least expected.
Hi Kathy!! When I read about your callings i just had to write to you. Most of my years in the church with callings have been with the Primary. I also taught in Primary and was the music Chorister in primary jsut like you. Right now my calling is Chorisgter for Sacrament meeting. I really miss Primary alot and the children. I Learned from them boththe callings and the children they taught me so much. As for my family history, I have done the work for my dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I have wonderful memories of them and love them and miss them alot. The problem is I have names but can't find any information on them. I have tried but it i0s hard. Thanks kathy
My current calling is in YW.. I joined the church as a teenager (thanks to the Osmond family values) and remember how busy I was kept with various activities. I keep this in mind when we as a presidency plan activities for the YW and joint activities for the youth as a whole.. Although one of the busiest callings it is very rewarding.
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