Mark IV: Yes, usually I trip over these stories on the way to something else. When I scroll through a microfilm on the way to an item near the end, for instance, I often scan the materials filmed earlier on the reel, sometimes resulting in totally random discoveries. Or I’ll realize that a woman is tangentially involved in an event I’m researching for purposes aside from this series. Since I’m convinced that everybody has a story anyway, all I need is a dramatic hook to build an article around, supplemented by the kind of research you might do into the life of any of your ancestors. In Sister Porter’s case, I noticed a headline about the passing of the oldest member of the Church in Great Britain.

J: I thought you might want some citations, and I’ll dig them out for you. Apart from routinely genealogical ones, the interesting sources are two or three letters written by a missionary sister to the RS Magazine and MStar. I didn’t know that dedication of graves was such a recent phenomenon — it seems like I’ve seen lots of references, but maybe I haven’t noticed the time period. Without realizing there was anything unusual there, I would just take such references for granted. I’ll notice from now on.

Herodotus: Thanks. I’m enjoying your recent comments, too. It’s amazing what community can be built among strangers with common ideals, even despite the use of pseudonyms.

I am actually quite pleased to hear about this indigenous sister saint (I may be pestering you for refs a little later, Ardis). The first account of such a women anointing in England is actually a letter from Eliza Jane Merrick in the 1849 Millennial Star. The spreading of this praxis outside of the core body of Saints is something that hasn’t received any attention.

Beautifully written, Ardis.