An amazing discovery

A few weeks ago I was doing a search for some information and I put my dad's name in a Google search.  It brought up some interesting family history.  Among the amazing things I discovered was this link to a blog from a distant cousin.  I found out that we are related through our father's line to the little girl Emilie Parker who was killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy.  My heart goes out to the Parker family even more, knowing that we are distantly related. Be sure to read down several entries in her

blog to read some fascinating stories about Thomas Griffin and mention of our grandfather and our father as missionaries for the LDS church.  Good, good reading about family on my dad's fraternal side of the family.

I also found this interesting link to more family history on my dad's maternal side of the family.   Did you know that Andrew S. Heggie donated many of his pictures and journals/writings to the library at Utah State University?  I'm interested to go visit the library at USU very soon and see what is there.  Here is a link to some of the information that is contained in the collection. Here is a tickler of what is available:

Scope and Content:

This collection consists of the personal photographs and books of remembrance of Andrew L. Heggie and his wife Corinne Godfrey Heggie spanning from the late nineteenth century through the 1990s. A photographic record of LDS missions, LDS church activity, family, and friends are also included. Because of the nature of the books, many documents such as Birth certificates, school certificates, greeting cards, weddings announcements, and personal reminiscences are also included.

Biographical Note:

Andrew Loosle Heggie (1905 - 2001) and Corinne Godfrey Heggie (1911 - ) were lifelong residents of Clarkston, Utah. Both were born to prominent families in the area. Andrew Heggie was the oldest son and fifth of eight chidren born to Andrew Stewart and Mary Loosle Heggie. Corinne Godfrey Heggie was the second daughter and fifth of eight children born to Thomas Henry and Lucy Ellen Barson Godfrey. Andrew and Corinne Heggie were married on May 23, 1938, in the Salt Lake Temple. Their only son, Don, died as an infant. Andrew and Corinne both attended Utah State Agricultural College. Andrew graduating with a bachelors in 1933 and Corinne with a teaching certificate in English in 1932. Andrew Heggie also attended the General Motors Institute Auto Mechanics Training Program for teachers in Flint, Michigan, in 1938. Heggie farmed and taught a driver's education and automotive maintenance course at Bear River High School for seven years. In 1947, he served as mayor of Clarkston. Corinne Godfrey Heggie worked as a teacher for several years and also ran the Clarkston post office after her sister-in-law Mayme Heggie Griffin retired in 1973. Both Andrew and Corinne Heggie served in several LDS Church positions. Corinne Heggie spent many years as a teacher in the Sunday School. Andrew Heggie served as the bishop of his ward for seven years, as well as the Sunday School Superintendant. From 1927 to 1930, Heggie served a missionary in the LDS Swiss-German mission. From 1953 to 1955, Andrew and Corinne Heggie served full time in the East German Mission. They were also avid genealogists and this collection is an accumulation of their work.

Arrangement Note:

The collection has been kept in the original order as compiled by Andrew and Corinne Heggie. Boxes 1, 1a, and 3 are for the most part arranged chronologically by topic. The majority of the photos are identified and some are accompanied by descriptive reminiscences. Box 2 contains three tin-types from the late nineteenth century. Boxes 4 & 5 are arranged more sporadically. While the photos are identified, they do not appear to be in any particular order. The photographs are principally snapshots taken by Andrew and Corinne. Some professional photographs are included, usually in the form of missionary and engagement portraits. All descriptions entered in full quotations (" ") are taken directly from the albums. The photos are maintained in their original order and mounting. Andrew Heggie's book of remembrance has been removed from its cover with the original pages (in the original sleeves) in acid-free folders.

I had the thought while I was reading about these histories, that our ancestors blazed the trail for us to follow and it is our DUTY and PRIVILEGE to follow in their footsteps.  I'm so proud of my courageous and faith-filled ancestors and hope that I will always remain a strong link in the chain that connects the generations.