Stirling: Example of How the Lord Continues to Influence the Genealogical Work

Kathleen Skinner was working at the Family History Library help desk when Myron Seegmiller walked in and talked to her. Kathleen then sent me (Ernalee Jones) an e-mail informing me of the discussion.

Myron then sent me an email on November 24, 2010 stating: “I was fortunate to meet Katherine at the Family History Library last week. I’m pretty sure that Jessie Bell and William immigrated to the US together.” (I, Ernalee Jones have proven that Jessie and William did come across to American and to Utah together.)

William ended up in southern Utah, but I’m (Myron Seegmiller) not sure why. He met Sarah Ann Leany and they raised their family in Leeds. Thomas Stirling and Elizabeth immigrated later and settled with William.

Thomas and William both died and are buried in Leeds. After, Elizabeth went to Salt Lake to live with Ann Stirling Whyte and died there.

Myron Seegmiller has visited Salt Lake cemetery several times, but he has not found her grave yet.

I then contacted Myron Seegmiller and found out he is related to William Stirling. William Stirling is a Brother of Jessie Belle Stirling Pack.

Myron Seegmiller’s grandfather was David.

William went to Forfar while he was on his mission back to Scotland. He made family history notes in a book while on his mission in 1898. (Under Mission President David O. McKay). The book is called the Stirling Family Red Book.”

“One of Myron Seegmiller’s cousins, Beverly Evans scanned the book for all of us a couple of years back. It is a real treasure.” (He promised to try to get me a copy of the red book.)

After William and Thomas died, Elizabeth Bell Stirling moved to Salt Lake and lived with her daughter Ann Stirling Whyte. Ann and Elizabeth are buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Myron Seegmiller said his family genealogist has done work on the Stirling line and Bell line. They have documented some lines back to the 1700’s. The great great grandfather of William Stirling and Jessie Bell Stirling Pack, can be one of a possibile 7 names.

I have found Ann Stirling Whyte and Elizabeth Bell Stirling’s grave sites in the Salt Lake City Cemetery (lot 18 off Grand Avenue between Center Street and Cypress Avenue). Because of the snow I have not been able to see the head stones. John and Julie Pack are in B section and east of that is A section and east of that is I section where Elizabeth and Ann are buried.

Myron Seegmiller shared a picture taken by Mitchell and Co. of Forfar and Kiriemuir “possibly of James Bell and Mary Bell Miller.” I do not know where James and Mary Bell Miller fit into the family line. He also shared pictures of:

1. Elizabeth Bell Stirling as an adult woman and as an older woman.

2. Elizabeth Bell Stirling’s Coffin with flowers on the coffin taken in a house.

3. Thomas Stirling as an adult man

4. Thomas Stirling’s head stone in Leeds Utah.

5. William Stirling’s head stone in Leeds.

The original pictures are in the family home in Leeds, Utah.

William Stirling built the family home in Leeds. It is a Utah Historical Site. Myron Seegmiller’s grandfather, David, lived in it during his life. One of Myron’s first cousins lives in the home today.

If you are interested in a copy of the pictures Myron Seegmiller sends, or any additional information, please contact me.

~ Ernalee Jones, JPFA VP-Jessie Bell Stirling

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