When Heaven Calls: How a Mysterious Package Launched an Unexpected Family History Journey
Sometimes the most profound family history journeys begin with a touch of divine intervention. That's exactly what happened to Jenny Ashcraft, who never imagined her half-joking request for a "cell phone call from heaven" would transform into a reality that changed her life forever.
When God Winks
Jenny's story began during precious final moments with her father, who was battling cancer. As she recorded his life history and asked questions about their family, she felt a subtle stirring – that familiar whisper that maybe she should explore their family history. But like many of us, Jenny resisted. "I'm not doing family history," she told her father with a laugh. "If you get to heaven and you want me to work on this, you better take a cell phone and call me!"
Just days after her father's funeral, that celestial call came in an unexpected form: a thick manila envelope from a complete stranger in Heber City, Utah. Inside were family history records, pedigree charts, and genealogies – all related to Jenny's father's family. The sender? A man who had simply read her father's obituary and felt compelled to share these records with Jenny, having never met her father or anyone in their family.
That moment marked the beginning of Jenny's transformation from a reluctant beginner to someone who now helps others discover their own family stories through her work at Ancestry. But her journey teaches us something profound: sometimes the most meaningful family connections start with just being willing to open that unexpected envelope.
The Whole Story
If you haven’t already heard about what happened next in Jenny’s journey - more divine coincidences, a trip to Pennsylvania, and some cemetery records - take a moment to listen in:
⬆⬆ Click the image above to listen on your favorite podcast app. ⬆⬆
🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover:
- Recording her father's life history during his final days
- Receiving the mysterious package that sparked her interest
- Learning to navigate Ancestry one small step at a time
- Discovering church records that had been sought for years
- The unexpected surprise when she met Jerry in Pennsylvania
- Finding her ancestor's restored headstone and what she learned
The Power of One Story
Jenny's experience reminds us that family history isn't just about collecting names and dates – it's about following those divine nudges that lead us to unexpected discoveries. Her journey from reluctant beginner to passionate family historian shows us that anyone can make meaningful discoveries, even if they start with zero experience.
"I'm living proof that if you've been intimidated and you think this is not for you, you can do it. If I can do it, you can do it."
Your Story
Think about the "coincidences" in your own family history journey. Have you ever received an unexpected message or connection that led to a breakthrough? Sometimes what appears to be chance is actually a carefully orchestrated moment waiting to unfold.
Story Seeds 🌱
Plant these conversation starters and watch your family stories grow:
- Ask your parents or grandparents: "If you could make one phone call from heaven to tell me something about our family history, what would it be?"
- Share with your family: "What's the most surprising coincidence you've experienced when learning about our family history?"
- Discuss with your relatives: "Which ancestor's story would you most like to discover?"
- Ask your children: "If you could time travel to meet one ancestor, who would it be and why?"
Story Sparks 🔑
Unlock your family's hidden stories with these research techniques:
- Look for church and cemetery records in your ancestors' communities – they often contain details not found elsewhere
- Connect with local historical societies in your ancestral locations – they might have unexpected treasures waiting to be discovered
- Get a journal or notebook and keep track of "coincidences" that occur during your family history journey - there will be more than you might expect
Like Jenny, you might find that your family history journey begins with what seems like a coincidence but turns into something much more meaningful. Whether you're just starting out or have been researching for years, remember that sometimes the most powerful discoveries come when we simply open ourselves to the possibility of divine timing.
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