The Treasure Hunt Begins!

Today, I went to the Family History Library for the first time! I figured, if it was open, I would take the time I had before the Sugar Bowl and go check it out. The only thing I wanted to accomplish today was to familiarize myself with the library, so I wouldn't be so scared to go back! I had trouble finding a parking space and finally had to settle for a 2 hr meter on the street. When I walked into the building, I immediately had three missionaries by me willing to help. I told them it was my first time and they had me sign in, gave me a "First-timer!" badge, and wisked me into an orientation room where I watched an 8 min. video about how everything works. After the video, I told the sister missionary I was looking for information on my Scottish ancestors and she directed me to the 2nd level of the basement, where the British records were kept. When I arrived on the level, I had two more missionaries asking if I needed help. One British missionary had me sit down on the computer & started looking online data bases for records verifying Alexander McLachlan Sr.'s parents. Apparently, it was a difficult task because the information didn't just pop up. After about 10 min. the Elder sat at the computer next to me and really took off. I got so lost trying to follow what records and websites he was looking at. After about an hour, he had printed two 1910 US census records that showed Alex's mom Mary Johnstone living with Alex in Springfield and Alex's Dad, John Sr. living with Alex's brother, John Jr. in another house. We had some trouble verifying their immigration & naturalization records and there wasn't alot of information that showed John was really Alex's father. I was beginning to think I had the wrong information on my family group sheet. Eventually he pawned me off to a girl who was my age. The girl, I can't remember her name, looked really familiar. I ran into her once before in the temple. We both thought we looked familiar to each other, but we couldn't figure out how we knew each other. Anyway, she was a big help because she made me search myself instead of doing it all for me. We decided to start by verifying Alex Sr. birth in the Scottish registry. Apparently these records had recently been extracted by members of the church. I had to look up the microfilm number, look through the film and take it to a 19 yr old Elder to copy. By this time, I had to run to my car to fill the meter. I had enough change for one more hour. On the birth registry it mentioned John McLachlan & Mary Johnstone as the mother & father & verified their marriage date. It also mentioned a grandmother's name of Ellen Johnstone as a witness to the birth. I assumed Ellen Johnstone was Mary's mother. After I made a copy, I wanted to verify John & Mary's marriage date. This search lead me to a microfiche that listed several family history books that mentioned several McLachlan's and family histories. I realized this was going to take me longer than the half hour I had left, so I cleaned up and headed home. When I got home and started to explain my experience to my Mom, I realized that the information we had for Mary Johnstone's mother wasn't correct! We had Alice Reed listed as her Mother, not Ellen. I just found a new person! That was pretty cool! Anyway, I will need to go back and do some more research, but it was a great learning experience. Next time I will need to go on a Saturday when there is free parking, I will need to have at least 5-6 hrs of time to devote to the search, and I will need to bring more cash to make copies with. But overall, it was a great way to spend the afternoon!

Marley & Me

On a personal note, Mom, Dad, Collin & I went to see Marley & Me today. It was a great movie and I recommend everyone see it. It is the first movie that made me cry in a LONG time. I recently bought the book & when I find some extra time :), I will need to read it.

Gathering Info on the McLachlans

I spent most of the day on Wednesday and most of the evening on Thursday looking through the information Mom & Dad have on the McLachlan side of the family. Collin has done some of the same research that I have done and it was fun to talk with him about it on Wednesday. We have alot of information about Alexander McLachlan Sr. (my great-grandfather) & his wife, but the trail of information practially stops after that. I found some pictures of the family that my aunt Linda gathered & copied for my Mom & Dad. In the photo album there are some pictures of Alex Sr. and his wife, Grace, and Alex's father John McLachlan and his wife Mary Johnstone. I found some personal histories of Alex and Grace McLachlan, including their conversion stories and their patriartical blessings. I found a timeline of the life of Alex & Grace that somebody constructed. It has been a huge help in learning what their lives were like. John McLachlan & his family immigrated from Scotland & settled in Springfield, Ill. in 1902. I found a copy of their Naturalization records dated 1909. Alex met Grace in Springfield and got married in 1908. By 1916, they had 4 kids. In March of 1917, they had their first meeting with the Elders and were bapitzed 10 days later. Both Alex and Grace received lots of persecution from their Catholic family and friends in Springfield for being Mormons and eventually they moved to Arizona to be closer to members of the church. In 1929 they were sealed as a family in the Mesa, Arizona temple. As their children get married, they moved all over the west. Eventually Alex & Grace move to Salt Lake City to be closer to family. Alex dies in 1953 and Grace dies 1971. Both are buried in the Bountiful Cemetary. In all the years I have been to the Bountiful Cemetary, I can't remember seeing their grave sites. I will need to go again sometime this week and check it out. I have been retyping the histories I have found so I can have electronic copies. Once I have organized this information, I will need to go to the LDS Family History Library and see if I can find more information on John & Mary McLachlan.

Day Two & Now I'm Sore!

The quest for health continues! Wednesday I worked out on the treadmill in the Cardio Cinema room, watching The Day After Tomorrow. I kept my speeds the same as yesterday, but I think it was a little easier to recover after my 30 sec of jogging periods. My right bicep is really sore from lifting weights on Tuesday...just another sign of how out-of-shape I have let myself become. My arm loosened up a bit as I worked out, but is still really sore. I can't even extend it out all the way. After my cardio workout, I did some leg weights. I tried to push myself a little, but not too much because I didn't want to be too sore to work out tomorrow. I also ate a lot less on Tuesday than I did on Monday, but I still ate out at Crown Burger for dinner. I won't even mention what I ate on Wednesday (New Year's Eve). I don't think I could even remember.

New Years Day I didn't workout. I woke up still sore from my previous workouts & Mom had plans to go to a movie & stuff. Eating today hasn't been anything really crazy, but not good either. I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a second breakfast for lunch (bacon, eggs, & toast), lots of popcorn and Diet Coke at the theater but NO BUTTER! (yippee), and Burger King for dinner. I think taking the day off has been good for my sore muscles & I have plans to go to the gym tomorrow for Day 3 of my training program. Maybe next week I will have to get serious about regulating my diet, especially since I balanced my budget and I discovered I spent too much for Christmas and I don't have any money left for eating out!