We are going on a Treasure Hunt: Road Less Traveled

“Two roads diverged in a wood; and I took the one less traveled by.” Just like the poet, Robert Frost, your ancestor might take you down a LESS TRAVELED road. The dates, places, and connections will come slowly, and in unexpected places. You will have to focus on details with the hot desert sun beating overhead. You will ask yourself, “Do I want to be on this road?” Yes, “it will make all the difference.”

My road, Memorial Day weekend, drove me right to the Parowan, Utah Cemetery. It began with a stream of thoughts about veterans. Later that day, looking in a most unexpected place, the park, I found a treasure! The name Bayles was on the war memorial in the center downtown park, and marching to the front was the question, “Are they related to me, to my Nauvoo grandpa?” A quick search with my family search phone app, revealed the relationship! Herman E. Bayles WWI and Jack Bayles WWII were my cousins, and Grandpa Bayles’ grandsons! The most exciting connection however, is that they both fought in France. A picture in family search memories confirmed that for Herman E. Searching through a WWII veterans book in the Parowan, UT museum (that grandpa Bayles helped build), led to a short treasured biography of Frank. It will be my privelege to put that on his family search memory page.

This summer, one of my treasure hunt destinations is France. Now I know who’s faith and courage will be leading the way!

Family Search has a new link to help us see the cemeteries our ancestors are buried in throughout the world. Can this link help you? https://www.familysearch.org/campaign/cemetery

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