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By Excel Entertainment Press Release
Family Celebrates Their Newly Discovered Heritage
DRAPER, UTAH -- Thomas and LeJoyce Bailey wanted to have a unique
family reunion -- one that the family would always remember. They
decided to do a little family history, research where their family
came from, and plan activities based on their pioneer heritage and
celebrate family traditions.
As they did their research they found more than they expected. With
the aid of Bonnie Whitley and information from the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, they discovered their ancestry held a
story of epic proportions that would affect their family reunion in
2001.
James Bailey, Thomas Bailey's great-great grandfather, and MaryAnn
Woodcock, his wife, began their immigration to the United States on
March 23, 1856 on the ship Enoch Train. They arrived in Boston in May
of that same year. Following their sea voyage they joined with their
new family of Latter-Day Saints in America.
The discovery moved them to tears. "Finding this information made me
grateful for those who have gone before me," said Thomas Bailey. "I
can't think of a better gift for my posterity, a legacy of faith and
a heritage of sacrifice for the gospel they so loved."
The Baileys hosted 20-25 family members last week including children
and grandchildren. Their week was filled with traditional pioneer
activities. But their week culminated Saturday as the entire family
enjoys the musical treat of Enoch Train, a traditional-Americana-folk
hymn instrumental group, named after the very ship the Bailey's
American family started from. The group performs traditional hymns
from Europe that the LDS immigrants brought with them here to
America. The group is all about celebrating LDS pioneer heritage, and
so are the Baileys.
"We've always been ENOCH TRAIN fans," says LeJoyce Bailey, wife of
Thomas Bailey. "Now we feel a closeness and have a new appreciation
for the music of ENOCH TRAIN. They celebrate the cultural heritage
that is ours."
"This is exactly what our music is about," says Clive Romney,
director of the musical group ENOCH TRAIN. "When immigrants came to
America, they carried the music of their homelands in their hearts.
Later they sang this music and shared it within their 'melting pot'
communities. This music helped to establish a new musical tradition
in a budding nation, and that is what ENOCH TRAIN celebrates."
The Baileys enjoyed the ENOCH TRAIN performance at Draper Days,
Saturday. ENOCH TRAIN will also be a part of Sea Trek 2001 that
begins August 7. The group will play on board the flagship, Statsraad
Lehmkuhl, several times a day at the Rock the Dock series, open for
the Saints on the Seas Oratorio, and participate in the Oratorio.
ENOCH TRAIN is growing in its reach and influence, and will perform
for royalty while in Europe.
Source:
Family Celebrates Their Newly Discovered Heritage
Excel Entertainment Press Release 22Jul01 A2
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