Item Detail
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Hill, Virginia Ann Christopherson
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1906-1977
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MSS SC 1022
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Personal History
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Virginia Ann Christopherson Hill was born June 5, 1906 in Lehi, Utah to Joseph Alfred Christopherson and Ane Emilie Sorensen. She was the 3rd of eleven children and the first girl. Soon after Virginia's birth, the family moved to Burton, Idaho where they built a four room home on the Sorensen farm (Virginia's maternal grandparents). Her father was called on a mission from 1909-1911 which left her mother to work hard to provide for her husband's mission and her family at home. When her father returned, the family moved to Thornton, Idaho, where he built a stone home that still stands today. Virginia helped haul stones to build this home. When times were hard, the family moved to Sacramento, California in hopes for more prosperity. It was in Sacramento that Virginia was baptized in a swimming pool on December 5, 1914 by Edwin W. Bonneris and confirmed the same day by M.M. Merrill. At the start of WWI, the family sold their wagon and horses and bought a Model T Ford and moved back to Thornton. Virginia attended school in Burton, Union, and Rexburg, and graduated from 8th grade in Rexburg. Virginia began attending High School in Rigby, Idaho, and rode the train back and forth to school. Her father desired to move closer to schools and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved the family to Twin Falls, Idaho. Virginia graduated from high school there in May of 1925, and then attended B.Y.U. for one year where she took business courses and worked on secretarial skills. Virginia met Dalice Hill in 1928, and told him she would only marry him if it were in the Temple. He returned to his home in California, prepared to go to the Temple, and they were married September 16, 1931 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Virginia and Dalice were the parents of 5 children. They lived in California for 5 years, but moved back to Twin Falls during the depression. It was necessary for Virginia to work part time during this time, and her children were wonderful to help at home. After her husband passed away in January 2, 1973, Virginia served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In January of 1974, she was called to the Louisiana-Shreeveport Mission, which was divided during her service, after which she served in the Arkansas-Littlerock Mission. Virginia concluded her autobiography with her testimony of the gospel and gratitude for her life. Virginia passed away December 2, 1977.
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Virginia's autobiography is 6 typed pages with pictures pasted throughout. Included in the folder are brief biographies Virginia wrote about her husband, her children, and her grandparents. Also included is a newspaper article which quoted Virginia while she was serving her mission, a letter from a convert, and her father's journal from the conclusion of his mission. There are other brief life sketches of Virginia's ancestors. Virginia lived a full life, and quoted Jack London who said, Man's chief purpose is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong time. I shall use my time.' Virginia worked hard throughout her life and used her time wisely. She enjoyed a close family relationship with her 6 sisters and 4 brothers, and moved her letter business home to take care of them when her mother passed away shortly after giving birth to her 11th child in 1931. Virginia worked for the Telephone Company in Twin Falls, an Architect and Contracting Firm, ran a Letter Shop, did Income Taxes and bookkeeping for others, worked at the Sugar Company near Twin Falls, an Insurance company, and for the State Selective Service System. Her husband was foreman of the Warehouse at the Amalgamated Sugar Company until he retired in 1965. Virginia and her husband traveled around to gather information for family history, and she spent much of her time writing histories, doing temple work, and working on generation charts. She said, 'Iam constantly going to the Genealogical LibraryI have written thousands of letters, and compiled many family groups. My heart rejoices in these, my two loves, Genealogy and Missionary Work.' Virginia faithfully fulfilled her full time mission and wrote about her choice experiences during her service. Virginia served in numerous church callings in Sunday School, Primary, Relief Society, and other organizations. She talked of taking advantage of the opportunities we have to learn and shared her testimony that she had accomplished a good life. She worked hard for what mattered most to her: the gospel and her family.
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