Kevin Ross Brooks

Granddaughter, Kyndell . Grandson, Ethyn and daughter Jennifer

Kevin in Egypt, Ft. Collins and Marriage to Maureen

Graduation from High School in Corvallis, Oregon

A Red Head

The Family

Kevin Ross Brooks
It was 51 years ago on Jan 12, 1957 that a fiery red headed boy came into the home of Anita Loe and Royal Brooks. He was given an Irish name and the middle name coming from the physician that delivered him. Little known at that time, was one of his fourth great grandfathers was born in Ireland and came to America at the end of the eighteenth century. At the time of his birth, his parents were living on 45th street in Mira Loma California, a small rural community seven miles west of Riverside, California. His father was the Branch President of a small branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in that same community. Professionally, his father was a research engineer working with the Department of Agriculture at the U.S. Salinity Laboratory in Riverside having joined the Department upon graduating from Utah State University 4 ½ years previously.

It was during the year of his birth that his father decided to accept a position as a research engineer at a different location within the USDA, i.e., Fort Collins, Colorado. This employment location was situated on the campus of Colorado State University where it was planned to attend the University on a part time basis to earn an advanced degree while continuing to work full time. The move was to become effective, July, 1, 1957. It was here in this community of Fort Collins that Kevin began to grow and develop in his childhood years and become a typical young man full of energy and vitality. It was not too long after moving to Fort Collins, that his sister, Vivian Rae, became ill with a malignant brain tumor and later died in January of 1960. By that time, a younger brother, Randall, had been born (1958). After her death, he had three siblings, David, Shauna, and Randall. Two other siblings (Kathleen and Erin) were to be born in this community before moving again in 1967 to Corvallis, Oregon where his father was appointed Associate Professor of Agriculture Engineering at Oregon State University.
It was here in this community that Kevin grew up as a teenager, became interested in music, and developed other interests. It was during the latter part of his High School years that he fell in love with his present wife Maureen Bennett and they were married 30 April 1977 in a private home in Corvallis, Oregon. On October 24, 1978, their first son, Jamison Royal was born in Corvallis, Oregon. Kevin’s parents moved to Egypt in 1977 and did not return until 1981 soon after which, Kevin and Maureen had twin girls, Jennifer and Kimberly, born on 4 December 1981 in Corvallis, Oregon. Since that time the twins and Jamison have graduated from High School, Jamison has moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, followed by Kimberly. The twins each have a child, Ethyn (29 June 2006) whose mother in Jennifer and Kyndall (2 June 2007) whose mother is Kimberly. Jennifer is living near Portland and raising her son with the help of her parents while Kimberly is raising her daughter in Las Vegas, Nevada. The parents, Kevin and Maureen, live in Donald, Oregon. Maureen works with General Electric Corporation in Portland in their medical records division and Kevin, although unemployed, is searching for the next opportunity.
I have written this brief glimpse into the events in Kevin’s life to honor him on his birthday of January 12, 2008. Perhaps it will give the reader a chance to become better acquainted with him and increase communication with cousins and relatives that share common ancestors. And, maybe he will be inclined to fill in the blanks of his life for his own posterity.
Happy Birthday, Kevin

Love,

Dad

Beaumont Jason Brooks

Birthday Dinner, Cake and Gifts

This Blog will serve as an update on Beaumont Jason Brooks and his family as seen by his grandparents. Next April his wife Nickole will bring forth a fourth son. We all look forward to that occasion and wish her well. If any of my Blog authors would like to add to this birthday greeting and honor please feel free to comment and add your favorite pictures.



Beau and his two sons Camden and Brenden at the family Christmas Party





Alexander Brooks receiving a gift from Santa at the Family Christmas Party

Beau (in the background) working with his Father, David, on wall finishing at his home.

Our subject is 32 years old today. As grandparents we are visiting him from Oregon . He is being honored at a birthday party at his residence in Riverdale, Utah; not far from where my grandparents lived and held similar family gatherings more than 100 years ago. Our subject is refinishing a family room where more room will be available for the family. The vital information of our subject can be found at royalbrooksfamily.pgvhosting.com provided you are a subscriber to the Brooks Family Genealogy. We have had the great fortune of visiting here in Utah over these holidays where we have become greater acquainted with the Brooks Families.

Happy Birthday, Beau

Your Grandpa Brooks

An Obsession

Tecumseh

Location of the Armstrong Farm

An Obsession

It is very interesting to me that Family History as a subject of study affects people in various ways. I believe that most of the readers of this BLOG have only a passive interest in their family history or maybe not at all. I know that providing for your family, temporally and spiritually, attending to church callings, and attending to friends and neighbors are truly time consuming aspects of life, but nevertheless, essential. But for me, the study and activity of family history seems to consume me in ways I cannot explain. It is not that I have nothing else to do, because I have many obsessive interests. Temple work, church assignments, bread baking, clock restoration and now vegan cooking, anyone of which, could consume my time totally. But, I can’t seem to lay family history aside.

A Bit of History

My recent discovery of the parents of James Potter Armstrong (second great grandfather), Robert Armstrong, has produced a level of joy and excitement that I have not felt in the recent past. I guess it can be compared to the discovery of the James Potter Armstrong families many years ago. Robert had nine children and I haven’t been able to finish counting the grandchildren and great grandchildren. For each of his children, I have a designated a notebook and as I go down the list from the oldest to the youngest, they are being filled with facts and information about each one and their families. Of course, James Potter Armstrong, being my direct ancestor, has many filled notebooks in my den regarding his family and descendants.
Robert and his wife, Ann, came to Ohio about 1805 with two sons born in Pennsylvania and settled on 165 acres, which he purchased in Mahoning County, Ohio, the Township being Goshen. The county seat is Youngstown, Ohio. This county is on the eastern edge of Ohio close to the Ohio River. In 1805, the county was called Columbiana and it truly was on the edge of the frontier. His privations and sacrifices in building a home on the frontier will probably never be known. Not many miles to the west, Tecumseh, was on the war path with the whites that were brave enough to expand the frontier further. Robert was elected to become one of the Trustees’ for Goshen and later became their Treasurer. His wife, Ann Potter, died in 1826 and then Robert died in 1843 at the age of nearly 80 years.
One of his son’s, James Potter Armstrong, whom he brought with him from Pennsylvania was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania (1801) and then in 1833 he was married to Mary Catharine Taggart in Randolph County, Virginia. I drew the conclusion that entire family came to Virginia from Pennsylvania; however, I never could find any evidence to the contrary until now. Now, it appears that Robert’s son, James Potter Armstrong, most likely, went to Virginia after becoming of sufficient age in Ohio, traveled to Virginia probably with an uncle and there married. James Potter Armstrong , wanting to be part of the family in Ohio and perhaps inherit part of the family farm, returned to Ohio after his marriage and after having several children along the way, arrived back in Mahoning County in 1850. It was at that time that his grandfather, James Potter, gave him a farm in Marion County, a number of counties to the west of Mahoning where he died in 1874.

new.Familysearch.org

After, the new familysearch comes on line for your Temple District you will have the opportunity to go online and select deceased family members and provide them with the saving ordinances if they are needed and you so desire. This new procedure will simplify that process from an 18 step process to 5 simple steps and it can be done from your home computer. Most of you are familiar with my PhP Ged View site where one can contribute and correct information which seems to be incorrect based upon documented evidence. The new familysearch will allow you to see your own family group, ancestors and descendants and make corrections in a similar way. The problem with the new familysearch is that you cannot download the information that is there to your computer, as can be done on the PhpGed View. Each one of you will be in the new familysearch data base whether you contributed your genealogy to be published at the church site (familysearch) or not. If you did not contribute any of your 4 generation pedigree charts as requested years ago, your family group will be in the new familsearch anyway because it will be generated from church records, but the tree maybe small. I hope that you will have a desire to become more active in bringing your family and my family records to a more acceptable form.
If you can’t become active in your own family history work, then try to become a volunteer as an indexer for familysearch. You’ll be greatly blessed! Anytime contributed to indexing will help the cause of family history immensely and it can be done from your home.

Final Thoughts

Now, if you are not bored out of your minds, let me share a thought with you that have come to me in recent weeks. Our ancestors who have passed to the other side, most of whom we have never met, know us far better than we know them. They have a stake in what we do and the choices we make because, whether you believe it or not, our actions will impact their salvation. I don’t believe that we can ever say, ”well, it is all done”. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that those who have been waiting on the other side for the saving ordinances to come to them had a great influence upon the work that I have been doing. I have been led and I have discovered records, not because of my own intelligence, but because of their influence. We sometimes call this influence “the spirit of Elijah”, but it is far more than that. The few years I’ve spent in working to find our deceased family members is but a pittance compared to the time they have been waiting. If they are more acquainted with us than we with them, should we not become better acquainted with them?
I guess one point I would like to clarify, is that I have been judgmental in thinking that all should be as interested in family history as I. Yes, some may be, but what I have done has been for my enjoyment and for their salvation, not for yours. However, I hope it will be of value to you and a convenience. In addition, I hope this BLOG will be of interest and for your benefit as well as mine. For those who want to take advantage of the genealogy site PhPGed View, I may ask you to begin to share in the costs. Your comments on this BLOG and others will be of interest to me and perhaps we can make it more beneficial for all concerned. I find it interesting that not a single reader has commented on any recent BLOGS. Come on! You can do better than that!
RHB

Robert Armstrong, Father of James Potter Armstrong

Found At Last

In a recent blog, September 2007, I indicated that there may be a connection between the Robert Armstrong and his brother Alexander Armstrong (Upper Paxtang Township of Lancaster County) with the Armstrong clan that is part of our family where James Potter Armstrong (1802 – 1874) being the earliest progenitor that I was aware. I have been searching for over a decade for his parents expending significant resources and energy. However, the above Robert Armstrong mentioned above and in the previous Blog is not what this Blog is about. There may be a connection between the two Roberts, i.e. the one previosly mentioned and the one that I am writing about on this Blog, but it is of little concern for now.

I am overwhelmed with joy to announce that the parents of James Potter Armstrong have been found. All of the research that I have been doing over these past few years has not been in vain. (This photo is of James Potter Armstrong with is Wife, Catharine Taggart)
The father of James Potter Armstrong is Robert Armstrong from Ireland and his mother is Ann Potter. That may not be surprising to some, but the evidence seems to be convincing. The evidence found supports the answers to questions pondered over many years as to why James Potter Armstrong, who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania went to Virginia where he married Mary Catharine Taggart and then traveled to eastern Ohio where he finally settled (see Blog 2006).
The gathering of the pieces to this ancestral puzzle is a true demonstration of how the spirit of Elijah and the Holy Ghost directs one as one earnestly seeks to identify ancestors. I will attempt to refer to only a few of the pieces that brought about the final conclusion and the end result. Of course, there is no end until we reach Adam, but as we are able to connect the various generations together the joy experienced is truly unspeakable. The previous Blogs and the unpublished research reports in my file tell the complete story, but here are a few of the details.
In a report that I wrote in January of 2001, one of the research findings was that a Robert Armstrong, aged between 70 and 80 years was living with a female person, aged between 20 and 30 years in Goshen Township during the census enumeration of 1840. Three other Armstrong families were living in close proximity to him, Joel, John and William at the same time. The William household had two families living together as evidenced by the ages of family members. The conclusion was drawn at that time, that Robert was living with a daughter and that James Potter Armstrong’s family was living with William and his family. Further, it was concluded that John and Joel were probably related to Robert and most likely he was their father. Ten years later, James Potter Armstrong and his family is enumerated for the first time in Goshen Township in 1850. At this time, Joel, John and James Potter Armstrong were all living in Goshen Township, but Robert and William were not to be found on any census records for that year nor for any subsequent censuses.
In a Blog dated July 2006, titled “Direction”, a book was mentioned and a page was quoted describing an Armstrong family that came from Ireland, settled in Pennsylvania for a time then moved and settled in eastern Ohio. That person was described as Robert Armstrong and gave the names of several of his descendants, one of which was Joel. This find produced a great deal of excitement and encouragement toward making a connection with James Potter Armstrong, my second great grandfather. Was James Potter Armstrong a brother to Joel Armstrong?
In a recent trip to the Family History Library in Salt lake City, March 26, 2007,research resulted in finding the Wills of Joel and John Armstrong. Heirs were mentioned with relationships all of which was very helpful. However, nothing could be found concerning a Robert Armstrong. In a subsequent visit to the Family History Library in September, 2007 in connection with attending sealing and wedding ceremonies of family members as noted in the most recent Blogs, The connection among all of the Armstrong’s that I have been studying was found. On this particular occasion, I had viewed several microfilms, for wills, land records, etc, but without finding anything significant. Finally, I decided to browse the book section on the third floor where county histories may be found and well as other books and documents pertaining to localities. A set of three volumes caught my eye, titled “History of Youngstown and The Mahoning Valley, Ohio”. I picked up volume three and turned to the biographical section and found Sylvester H. Armstrong. I had previously copied and read Sylvester’s biography in the book purchased mentioned in the Blog above and so I didn’t think much about it but decided to make a copy anyway. Since it was time to meet the others and go to lunch, I hurriedly made the copy and put it with my research papers on the first floor. On returning from lunch, I began to read closely what I had copied. To my great amazement and joy, Robert Armstrong’s family was described in detail including all of his children, their birth dates and when they died. Included in the children list was James Armstrong, born November 11, 1802. Here was what I had been working and praying to find for these past many years. The joy that filled my bosom was unspeakable
The reader will have to go to my PhpGedView to see the family groups as soon as I can put them al together.

RHB

Bear Lake Family Gathering and 58th Anniversary

Athe end of every rainbow is a pot of Gold
These are the GOLD

Beau and Nickole Brooks

Charlet and Benjamin

Charlet & Chris

Clock test Stands

Geoff and Kylene Brooks

Geoff and Taunya Brooks

Happy Anniversary Anita and Roy (58 years)

Happy Birthday Nickole and Happy Anniversary, Anita

It doesn't work

Kylene and Anita


What a memorable occasion to be with David's children and their grandchildren at Bear lake, Utah. We drove up from Ogden saturday morning, Sep 1, 2007 to dave and Taunya's mountain retreat to relax for the weekend. We were overjoyed as children and grandchildren arrived to become requainted and become familiar with their lives. David and Taunya are both very gracious hosts, giving up their beds, providing delicious meals, even to a vegan. Here are a few pictires of our associations. Clock test stands were made using Dave's wood working shop, a clock belonging to Geoff and Ky was worked on without success and must be returned to the shop in Charbonneau. It was a great week end and memories will last a life time and thereafter.

RHB

Beau Brooks & Nickole Allen's sealing Sep 7, 2007

The thrill came when three boys dressed in white walked up to the alter to be sealed to their parents as though they had been born under the new and everlasting covenant. A very touching moment indeed. Families who are faithful to the end are truly forever. That is my witness to you all. As I work within the walls of His holy edifice each week, I truly know the meaning that families are forever and they are the only meaningful possession that we have on this earth. Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you where He awaits on the other side. We were so blessed to have been given the opportunity to travel to Utah to witness and be part of these great events.

RHB

The Brooks' at the Bountiful Temple

Allen Family
Geoff Brooks & His Aunt Julie

Anita Brooks and her brother-in-law Loren Brooks


Beau Brooks and his Mother, Taunya Brooks

Everyone a Brooks at the Bountiful Temple


Bountiful Temple

Beau Brooks and his wife Nickole Allen

Temple Gathering at the Bountiful Temple.

For the first time in my remembrance, ten Brooks clan family members all gathered at the Bountiful Temple to witness the endowment of Nickole Allen Brooks, wife of Beaumont Jason

Brooks. Nickole's family was also represented in the same numbers and it was a glorious gathering where we may all gather at some future time to taste of the blessing of the hereafter. This beautiful temple that looks out over the great Salt Lake shines like a great beacon in the night calling upon all to come and taste of the sweet waters that flow from its heavenly font. Hopefully the day will arrive when descendants of Royal Harvard Brooks Jr. and their spouses will stand together in the house of the Lord and receive their blessings. This couple and their children were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple one week later (7 Sep 2007).

RHB

Travel to Utah and Joe's Wedding

The wedding company, three generations of Wrights, after 58 years (Roy and Anita), and Mrs Naomi Wright

The Wright family

Joe and Naomi leaving the Temple

Wanda, Anita and Naomi's Sister

The Salt lake temple

The wedding ceremony held in the Salt Lake Temple August 31, 2007 was wonderful and inspiring. We were privileged to be invited. Here are a few of the pictures taken after the ceremony. The groom's dinner was held the night before in Layton, Utah where we had a chance to meet all of the families involved in this wedding. Joe and Naomi lived with us in Charbonneau for several months prior to the wedding which allowed us to become better acquainted with them.

The following are a few comments regarding our trip to Utah prior to the wedding.

Travel and Time with David’s Family
Leaving Charbonneau late on Sunday (8/26/07) permitted us to make the 750 mile journey to Ogden in two days. After an overnight in Boise, Idaho, a late breakfast and a phone call from my brother, we detoured into downtown Boise to obtain 40 pounds of Panko for my little brother that lives in Bountiful Utah. Panko is used to fry fish that he catches. Our arrival was greeted joyfully by David and Taunya and we soon caught up on all the family news.
Thursday was the dinner party for the groom (Joe Wright’s wedding) in Layton, Utah. We met the Wright family and the family of the bride (Naomi). The dinner was lovely and we enjoyed our association with both the Bagley (Joe’s mother’s family) and Wright families. As noted above, the Joe Wright and Naomi Hernandez wedding took place the following day in the Salt Lake Temple. Other significant happenings that occurred during our time in Utah will be noted in subsequent blogs. They will include (1) an anniversary and birthday at Bear Lake, (2) Temple Sealings in the Salt Lake Temple of the Beau Brooks family, (3) Family History Findings
RHB