John Malouf arrived in the United States in 1907 at the age of 15, traveling alone by ship.  He didn’t know anyone aboard and would sit looking out at the water with tears in his eyes over the uncertainty of his journey. Without any knowledge of English and with a note pinned to his lapel with his name and destination, he was able to get from the boat, through Ellis Island and to the right train and conclude his journey to Ogden, Utah. At the train station in Ogden, he was met by his father who hadn’t seen him in years and had to ask several questions to establish his identity. He was then delivered to the family home on Wall Avenue.

If you knew your grandfather had accomplished such a feat, would you stand a little taller and have more confidence in your own abilities? Many of us have remarkable stories in our family histories. Do we share them with those who carry the same DNA? We also have stories of our own, remarkable or not, that can support and help our own loved ones.

Biography is powerful. Especially if it is a family member’s story. Friend Brett Allen has authored LifeSketch which can be found at www.lifesketch.ai. It works through natural, guided conversations—like sitting down with a thoughtful listener who knows how to help you remember. You talk. You reflect. AI organizes and puts it on paper. 

Friend Anne Crowther has used LifeSketch and says, “I may never post or attract even one follower on X. But I like my simple stories. And I enjoy reflecting about what life is teaching me... Maybe one day someone will read a page or two from my life sketch and be glad they did. But for me and for now it’s just fun remembering.”

Back to John Malouf who spent his first 15 years in Lebanon. During that time, he received his education at the “Oak Tree University,” which was literally under an oak tree with a teacher and other boys. His solo voyage to the New World added to his education. Once he landed in the United States, he became a traveling salesman and met his future bride, Alice Jenkins, in Samaria, Idaho. He and Alice raised eight children in Ogden. * Their second daughter, Dorothy, married Ralph Jones, they made their home in Malad and raised Alice and Jerry. Alice’s posterity, the Moon Bunch, have courage and resilience in their DNA as evidenced by this short biographical clip. They are people you can count on. Life is Good when you know your people!

Brett plans to have an open class at the Oneida County Library soon to help patrons get started with LifeSketch. Check at the library for dates and times.

*Family History of John and Alice Malouf