Ida L Roberts (Child)

My name is Jacob Child and I recently added two memories to Loi Edgar Child. I and my family are descendants of Edward J. Wood (The mission president over Edgar and Ida) through my Mom's line. A long time dream of my Mom's was fulfilled when in December of 2023 we went to visit Samoa where my great great etc Grandpa served (and where two sets of Aunts and Uncles were currently serving). We visited many sights where my Grandpa may have been, including a possible location of the Fagalii chapel. Just up the road from that is the Fagalii cemetery. We visited there and saw the plaques and monuments to the missionaries and were very surprised to see the last name Child! Upon returning I started doing some research. It turns out we are related through Alfred Bosworth Child and his wife Polly, and Loi would be "my second cousin three times removed". I read the memory/pdf that has the letters that Edgar sent home and loved to learn about *both* sides of my family as Grandpa Wood was mentioned in there as well. I then searched for any references to Roberts in the digitized portion of Grandpa Wood's journal that we have and found the other memories that I have attached. The Lord works in mysterious ways! I love family history work. Also note, BYU did an article on the Fagali'i cemetery where Loi is buried https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/the-little-head-stones-became-monuments-death-in-the-early-samoan-mission-and-the-creation-of-the-fagalii-cemetery/#footnote-096 Another interesting tidbit: while there we visited a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sponsored and run school called Vaiola on the island of Savai'i. It may be a stretch, but I wondered if it had any connection to Viola the Roberts daughter who eventually passed away. It is a different island than the served on I think, but I think their friends the Warren's? served there. Below are all the references to the Roberts I found in the digitized portion of the journal (in order). Note that I don't have the years, just the month and day things occurred due to the digitized format, so things could be in different years. His original spelling is also kept. “Thursday Aug 18. “Every indication this morning pointed to the coming of our long expected stranger baby and of course a vigalant watch was kept. The sister [Sister Roberts] bore up bravely as the painful event approached. She was in travail quite [early] this morning, but at 8:30 quite severe labor pains came harder and harder. Bro. Stark went for the doctor, but I soon found the time was very close, she request[ed] that I stay in the room and it is well that I did, as the baby was soon and quite easily born at 10:45 a.m. Sister R. felt strong and full of thanks to the Lord for her safe delivery. Necessity now required that some thing be done and that quickly; the cord was around the neck and I had quite a job in freeing it. I then took the doctor’s place and my past experience was quite useful to me. I soon had him fixed, the cord tied and him separated from his Mother, and I assisted sister Reid in washing him and dressing him — He weighed in at 10 lbs., and was soon stowed away to asleep. The doctor Dr. Braucht was agreeably surprised at the news and he simply looked at the after birth, gave me some pointers and was off again. She [Sister Roberts] rested well and all is well, as I knew it would be.” (Journal No. 11, pp. 69-70.) OUR BOY (poem written shortly after Loi's birth) Morning Safely blew the gentle sea breeze All was peaceful as of yore As we waited for the Angel Who was knocking at our door. Come in little Angel spirit Come where doubt will not annoy So our faith this very morning Brought our Angel baby boy. Mid-day Now our boy has lived to manhood And he looks upon the ground On the ground his parents labored There with scythe in hand he’s found. And he reaps what parents planted In this field far out at sea Then again he goes to Zion In the land he longs to be. Evening On he goes and never falters his form bent, his hair so gray But his call is sure, his work done He enters the narrow way. This be the path our boy shall tread And act well upon this stage Every part he is called to take From the cradle to old age.” (Journal No. 11, pp. 76-78.) “Thursday Sept 22. “We held services on the meeting house grounds this morning and I offered the dedicatory prayer. We then pitched in and dug till our hands were sore, as we have only a crow bar and a scoop shovel to work with, but we cant help that, if we were to wait till we had things just so we never would make a start. All the Saints came and helped us and we found the digging easier than we had expected... . “We hurried Fred as much as we could to go on to Sale-lavalu. . . . The native Saints all came to bid me good bye many of them bringing me little tokens of love as they dont expect that! may come over again. I felt quite bad on leaving them and especialy Bro. and Sister Roberts who gave mea very pretty silk handkerchief from Lai to me. I have become quite attached to them and will ever remember them and my boy. “Monday Oct 17. “To day was one of solid work for me, and I hardly moved off the seat I have already worn outa few pair of pants on. The weather is quite unsettled but the frequent rains make our flowers and lawn look first class... . “We all got good news from home. Mary Ann [his wife] wrote in a good strain and thank the Lord all were well. I also received a nice cake some nice candy for my coming birthday and kind Mary Ann also sent a cute little silk hood for Sister Robert’s baby — many thanks! .. . “Christmas Dec 25, my sixth Christmas on Samoa. “ According to appointment we all went to Pesega [on west side of Apia] to attend the Christmas doings at the school and Saints there and also to the dedication of our meeting house. The cart came : up and took Bro. and Sister R[oberts] down and we others walked. A very large crowd assembled; in fact upwards of 200 were in our meeting which began and lasted till 3 p.m. I offered the dedicatory prayer. Bros. Olsen, Dangerfield, Wright and myself spoke, and between each speech was a song. The Pesega singing was especially good. Next came the dinner, which was the best I have yet seen, over two hundred sat down, and the food was of the best. Pigs, chickens, fish, cake, puddings, pineapples, bananas and every thing else that went to make up a first class meal or dinner. In the evening a nice entertainment of songs, recitations, a pantomine etc. was given. Then we met in the Elders room in Ah-Mus house and had cake, fruit and sang the songs of Zion tho’ now in distant lands. While outside it rained, it rained it rained. “But finally we left for home except Bro. and Sister R[oberts] who staid for the night, where we arrived at 2 a.m... . Sister Roberts is very good around the house and is always wanting to do something. .. . Fagali'i March 23rd [The journal entry about a conference] ——Following this conference, a report was sent to the Deseret News, which said in part: “On Sunday, March 20th, a full attendance of Saints, and many strangers were present. . . . Elder Wood spoke and reproved the Saints for hypocrisy and pride, calling on them to prepare for the judgment day... . “Priesthood meeting was called to order. ... A good spirit prevailed. Elder Wood, filled with the spirit, spoke with regard to the honor due the Priesthood. . . . “A meeting at 8 p.m. was held with a full attendance of Saints and strangers. After opening prayer was offered, the meeting was disturbed by some thoughtless youth casting stones against the bamboo of the meeting house. “The chiefs went out and with Elder Wood, caused peace to reign and several strangers to come to our services. Hence from an evil act good was made the result. Elder Jeppson, the first to speak, spoke on Church organization. Elder Wood occupied the remaining time, proved from the Bible the origin of this people and explained why he was a Latter-day Saint. All listened with eager attention. “The spirit of unity reigns among the Elders and Saints as never before. Edgar Roberts, Clerk of Conference.” Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! childjacob2@gmail.com