Incorporating Family History into our Summer Reading Program

By Wendy Locey

Summer is right around the corner. Each summer we participate in a summer reading program. This summer we thought we would learn about one of our ancestors who walked 2,000 miles as part of the Mormon Battalion, then read the same number of pages as miles they walked.

Over the past year, we have been learning about the Mormon Battalion, an active military unit during the Mexican-American War. Last August, we attended a local presentation about the Mormon Battalion. It is the only battalion named after a religious group. The only battle that the Mormon Battalion fought was against a herd of rampaging bulls, south of Tucson. Their march took them through the desert in the winter.When they arrived in San Diego, most had no shoes, and their clothes were in tatters.

Before we went to the presentation, we looked on FamilySearch to see if my husband had an ancestor in the Mormon Battalion. He did. His name was Riley Garner Clark. He was in Company A and was assigned to Los Angeles after arriving in San Diego. He eventually settled in Panguitch, Utah. We haven’t learned much about him yet.

At the presentation, our 7 year old was enchanted by the brass band that played. He counted how many instruments have mouth pieces, how many boys and girls, and how many songs.

My ancestor Israel Evans walked the 2,000 miles in Company B. I grew up learning about him. After arriving in San Diego, he was stationed there for two more years until 1848. Later he was captain of a Mormon pioneer handcart company. Lance, my husband, and I have talked about him. On his messenger at work, he had written “Israel Evans walked 5,000 miles.” One day he was asked by a co-worker why Israel did that. He responded, “Because he believed a prophet.”

At the Mormon Battalion Presentation

After the presentation, the boys got to dress up and see different displays. We are glad we learned about our history.

We will start this summer at the Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center in San Diego, CA. We will keep track of the pages we read. We hope that as a family we can meet our goal of reading 2,000 pages. We haven’t determined how we will celebrate when we reach our goal. Maybe we will build something, like the Mormon Battalion soldiers did when they arrived in San Diego. I hope my children learn awareness that they can do things without knowing the results from this project. I also hope they learn there are benefits to being obedient.

To find out if your ancestors served in the Mormon Battalion, sign in to the FamilySearch Mormon Battalion page here.

Wendy is passionate about her husband and children. She enjoys working, creating, and making memories through daily adventures. She has gainful employment as the Domestic Goddess of her family. Their family is hoping to adopt. She blogs at Lessons Line upon Line.