an early LDS English convert
1822 - 1903
By: Gary E. Stay
Revised February 1998
This account is a record of Joseph
Stay's life and an account of his parentage and children. Until the first study
published in July of 1988, no narrative was written regarding him other than
several brief references recorded in a Woodbury family history.(1)
A detailed genealogy family group sheet initially provided a valuable reference
point from which to start. Sparse verbal history was gathered during the course
of the study which added an additional dimension. The work is being republished
at this time with additional information regarding Joseph's schooling and his
early life that was not available at the time of the first study.
The 1988 narrative opened a new chapter in the Stay family's identity, for until then, historical roots had been lacking on this lineage. It is also interesting to note that the Pearce family, (Sarah Jane Pearce, Joseph's wife), experienced an extension of ancestry in the course of this study.
Early English LDS Church (Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints) history is particularly interesting because of an emphasis during 1987, the 150th year of the LDS Church in England. We find that Joseph Stay was a participant in this history through his missionary activity and ecclesiastical leadership during the late 1840s and 1850s.
Pictures of Joseph Stay and his family have been located. Several pictures of his daughters and son and their spouses are included.
Considerable effort by many members of the family to identify the majority of Joseph's descendants has taken place. We know this listing is not complete, but time constraints have not allowed every line to be fully presented, we apologize for these omissions. It is hoped that each family line will work on providing up to date family group sheets to the Ancestral File.
The author is indebted to Dorothy Jacobson, Sharon Brown and Harry Stay of Highcliff England who assisted in compiling information and editing the manuscript.
Gary E. Stay
Ogden, Utah
February, 1995