Hannah Middleton Hawkey (Sinfield)

"I've researched my family tree and found no pirates or horse thieves, although there was this one ancestor who was drummed out of Attila's army for conduct unbecoming a Hun. "...Robert Brault.

My wife has found someone who was hung...or is that 'Hanged'? (and it wasn't on the family tree!). I've found loads of skeletons in the cupboards and, depending on how you view theft, a few thieves to boot.

Just to clear a point...Bev didn't find anyone hanging. She found that an ancestor had been hanged many, many years ago...for something he would never be hanged for today!

Hannah, however, was different. She was my great, great, Aunt and has quite a tale to tell.

She was born in 1822 in Sunderland. I don't really know anything of her childhood but I do know that her Dad was a sailor who was on the first ship to sail from Sunderland to Quebec.

Hannah married Foster Hawkey in 1847. Foster's first wife had died leaving him with James their only son .

On September 19th 1852, just five years into their marriage, he was swept off the mast he was repairing during a storm, and drowned.

Hannah found herself alone with James from Foster's first marriage and three of their own children...John, Margaret and Hannah.

For a fee of 45 dollars, she left Zion Street in Sunderland and boarded the Ship 'Horizon', docked at Liverpool... heading for a different Zion. The ship docked in 1856 at Boston.

I think it was at this point that she was assigned to be a part of the ill-fated Martin Handcart Company.

She was 33 years of age with three of her children with her...Hannah (3), Margaret (4) and James (14)...I haven't found out yet what happened to her other son John.

They had to build their own carts for the trek West to 'Zion' in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was one of 575 people, 156 carts and 7 wagons.

Food was scarce and delays frequent due to the cart constantly breaking down and having to be repaired.

James froze to death before the family were eventually rescued by those sent out to find them by Brigham Young...a decision that is well documented in Church History.

She entered SLC on the 20th November 1856 where it was discovered her toes had burst open. The wool coverings (no shoes) that she had wrapped round them had miraculously prevented infection and, as a result, managed to be walking the following Spring.

In the Summer of 1857 she married Samuel Sinfield in Ogden, and in 1869 moved to their new log cabin in Paradise, Cache County, Utah.

She wrote of her experiences, including the 'grasshopper plague', and died in 1903 aged 81.

I have, of course, skimmed over the individual faith, courage and heart-rending implications of that journey for so many as they 'inched' their way to a better life, but it's well documented for those who wish to follow it.

For myself, a tear is always shed when I read of Hannah and other's experiences.

When I joined the same Christian faith in 1974, I had no idea of the rich 'Mormon' heritage running through the family. I thought I was the first...until I researched my family history.

Randi hints that perhaps they were influencing my journey in some way (I'll have to check her exact words), and I think she's probably right.

I know I should really stop here, but this is a journal and I'd like to share my own little light-hearted journey of the day. It began this very morning as Bev and I walked across the field to work. The sun was shining just like yesterday and we were in a mood to match.

I asked...'How many steps before we reach the other side'? 800 Bev replied. I was adamant at 340. The exact number of steps was 340 which made me the clear winner.

I did in fairness reserve my answer until the last step. Do you know, my own wife doesn't believe I was being honest! I think that's terrible!

I wonder how many steps Hannah and the family made to Salt Lake City?

I'm off to the cinema with my son now (Bev has no interest in Angels and Demons), but I've read the book and am looking forward to it.

Hannah... when I can get the picture to upload.