The History of Family Christmas Past

As the holiday season approaches I cannot help but think with great appreciation how much more significant Christmas and Thanksgiving are to me thanks what I have learned of our family history. I am especially grateful for those who left behind little memories of what these special days meant to them. The image above was taken from the war letters of my Grandpa Carl, whose letters came home full of holes, much as the illustration shows. It was reflective of the times and his situation. But it was clearly important to him that he send his love though greetings homeClick to continue…

Getting to Know Albert Smith

Jeff Westover Family History August 5, 2018August 5, 2018Albert Smith 0 Comment

All year long I’ve made reference to a video (or two) coming out about Albert Smith. It is still a work in progress. The challenge stems from what to include and what to leave out in telling of his story. Thanks to Albert’s journals and to a long life lived so close to events of Church and Utah history there is a great deal of information. There is little of the 19th century Mormon experience that Albert didn’t have. He came from a religious family. That led to his conversion sometime in the mid-1830s, a time that saw him joinClick to continue…

Join the Westover Family Christmas Card Exchange

Jeff Westover Events, Family News August 4, 2018August 4, 2018Christmas Card Exchange 0 Comment

Christmas! Yes, I’m going there. I know it’s only August. But I tried to set up a family Christmas card exchange last year and failed spectacularly. I think I got it up too late and didn’t put enough push behind it. This year I vow to do better. So, here’s the deal: the Westover Family Christmas Card Exchange is opened to all registered users of the site. But to participate in the exchange you will need to sign up. I’m not expecting huge numbers. But I am hoping enough of us sign up that we get a good little exchangeClick to continue…

Revelations from a Trip to Rexburg

Jeff Westover 20th Century, Family History July 29, 2018July 29, 2018 1 Comment

I just returned from a visit to the Westover Family Ranch in Rexburg, Idaho. I was there to attend a board meeting of the ranch. I learned a great deal. I must confess that my own personal time spent at the ranch has been limited. As a child I heard much about the ranch. But it wasn’t until just a few years ago that I attended a family event there. After the business of the board was done I attended a nice family meeting and then began a short period of visiting. During the course of the morning I heardClick to continue…

The Life of Ane Marie Jensen Barnhurst

Jeff Westover 19th Century, Family History July 22, 2018July 22, 2018Ane Marie Jensen, Riggs, Samuel Barnhurst 0 Comment

Of the many reasons to be on Family Search few are as important to me than a fairly new feature known as the Family Calendar. It is just a simple timeline tied to your family tree that shows important dates – birthdays, days of passing, marriage, etc. It’s kind of cool because if you set it up right it will send you reminders of these dates via Facebook. Tomorrow’s date marks the passing of Ane Marie Jensen – a pioneer of great significance in the Riggs line. Just who is Ane Marie to me? My grandmother, Maurine Westover, is theClick to continue…

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