Item Detail
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Lund, Elizabeth Boocock
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1911-
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MSS SC 1049
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Autobiography
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Elizabeth Boocock Lund was born July 31, 1911 near Baildon, Yorkshire, England to George Boocock and Annie Watson Boocock. When she was six years old, they moved to Haworth where her father was a butcher and where they were active members of the West Lane Baptist Church. Because her mother was accustomed to the Church of England, there was some small discord in the family over religion. During this time a cousin, Nora, came to stay with the family as a sister because her mother had died. Elizabeth went to the Girls' Grammar School in Keighley on scholarship and did well in school. At age 16, she 'became more spiritually aware' and was baptized into the Baptist Church, which made her father happy. The headmistress of the grammar school wanted Elizabeth to continue her education, and Elizabeth's parents were supportive although this would be difficult financially. Elizabeth was awarded more scholarships, and began attending Bedford Froebel College in September, 1930. The college was a leader in the field of early childhood education, and Elizabeth was well trained in her profession. She taught at several schools before marrying Vernon Lund on March 23, 1940. In 1941 they went to Blackburn, Lancashire where they both worked in the Royal Ordinance Factory. Elizabeth left this position when she became pregnant with their first child, Percy James. In the next few years, they moved several times, and two more children, Patrick George and Elizabeth Johanne, were born to them. In 1957 they moved to Elizabeth, South Australia because they felt that life would be less stressful for their children there. Elizabeth continued to teach school, and her sons attended college. Patrick became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and although they were not interested in the church, his parents were pleased with his lifestyle. When they were concerned that Johanne was not doing well in the Australian school system, Patrick suggested that they send her to the Church College of Hawaii. As they looked into the school, they learned more about the church and eventually became members. Elizabeth went to Hawaii with her daughter and obtained a BA there in teaching English as a second language. After this, they went to Samoa for a time while Vernon was Agricultural Advisor to the government of American Samoa. They returned to Queensland where Elizabeth spent time establishing a Reading Club and visiting her children.
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This collection was submitted to the Women's History Archives by Elizabeth. It includes a typewritten nine-page personal history and three pages of her memories, a resume, two letters of recommendation, a copy of her diploma, a program for a stake production of Annie Get Your Gun, a report by the Ministry of Education on the Gledhow Preparatory School, and photographs. The photographs are of the Showboat cast; Percy James Lund at age 21; Jean, Nora, and Elizabeth in 1965; Michael, a grandson at 13 months; George Boocock at age 76; Elder John Johanson; Elder Craig Longhurst (who baptized Elizabeth); Jagen Chandra Lal and Elizabeth Johanne Lund Lal on their wedding day outside the Laie Hawaii Temple; and a wedding announcement for their son Percy James. In the personal history, Elizabeth outlines the major events of her life, focusing on her teaching career and her conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of her husband's inactivity in the church, Elizabeth states that she has had to walk 'a narrow middle path that keeps harmony in the home,' and cannot be as active as she would like. In the document on 'memories,' Elizabeth remembers her first day of school coming in late in the year after having had measles and mumps. She gives recollections of her mother. And, she relates a story about her 'cousin-sister' Nora being seriously ill with pneumonia. A specialist was fetched in the middle of the night to release the fluid from her lungs so she could breathe. As they readied the room for the operation, Elizabeth and her parents were worried about the lack of light. 'As we waited and prayed it seemed that each of us was suddenly inspired to solve the problem.' They brought in mirrors and all of the lanterns from the barn to light the room. The operation was successful, and Nora recovered.
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1850-