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Jeanette McKay Morrell photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P0805

Scope and Contents

The Jeanette McKay Morrell photos contain materilas that pertain to the life of Morrell, as well as to the lives of her husband, children, parents, and siblings. The majority of the collection pertains to her personal and family life. Jeanette McKay Morrell was born in 1879. Morrell was a well educated woman who labored as a teacher, writer, mother, and missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). She attended many universities including the University of Utah. She became a teacher and later the principal in Huntsville, Utah. In 1907 she married Joseph R. Morrell. She wrote a book about her brother, Highlights in the Life of President David O. McKay .David O. McKay was then the president of the LDS Church. Morrell died in 1971 at the age of ninety-two.

Dates

  • 1920-1980

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Jeanette "Nettie" Isabel McKay Morrell (1879-1971) was a teacher, writer, traveler, artist, poet, church member, missionary, daughter, sister, mother, and wife. Her passion and devotion to the LDS Church streched across the continental United States during her service as a sister missionary in the Eastern States, and later supported her brother, David Oman McKay, when he was called to be president of the church on 9 April 1951.

Morrell was born 12 November 1879 to David and Jeanette Eveline Evans McKay. She was one of eight children, four boys and four girls. Morrell's paternal grandparents were from Sutherlandshire, Scotland, while her maternal grandparents had immigrated from Wales. Both sets immigrated to the United States largely due to the influence of the LDS Church. Morrell grew up in a devoutly spiritual LDS family, and she later served a mission to the Eastern States. As an active member of the church, Morrell served in many important positions of leadership, such as board member of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association, Relief Society teacher, and a counselor in the Relief Society.

Morrell was an avid reader and writer. She attended classes at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1894 to 1897. In 1897, she graduated with a three year degree in Normal School. She then began teaching in the Huntsville Schools, Huntsville, Utah, and later became the principal in 1899. In 1904, Morrell moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she could further her education at the University of Chicago.

Morrell had dated frequently, and corresponded with quite a few young men. During her stay in Chicago she met Joseph Rowland Morrell, who was studying to become a physician. Jeanette married Joseph Morrell in the Logan Temple on 19 June 1907. Joseph R. Morrelll was raised in Logan, Utah by an English father, Joseph Morrell and Margret Rowland. Joseph R. had earned his degree in medicine from Rush Medical College and the University of Chicago. He was a renowned surgeon and general practitioner, and as a result was often away from home on conferences, medical seminars, and on practice. This became difficult for Jeanette, who retired from teaching in 1908 so that she could start a family. The Morrells had four children: Joseph Roland Jr., Jeanette, David McKay, and Katherine.

During 1910 to 1911, the Morrells took a trip to Europe, where they stayed in Vienna, Austria. Morrell took advantage of the trip by enriching herself by writing and keeping a journal of the sites she saw and the people that she met.

In 1951, Morrell's brother David Oman, was called to serve as the president of the LDS Church. Morrell corresponded with him often. Morrell then wrote a book entitled Highlights in the Life of President David O. McKay , which was published in 1966. On 30 March 1971, Morrell passed away. She was ninety-two years old.

Extent

2 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Jeanette McKay Morrell photograph collection contains images that pertain to the life of Morrell, as well as to the lives of her husband, children, parents, and siblings. Morrell was a well educated woman who labored as a teacher, writer, mother, and missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). She attended many universities including the University of Utah. She became a teacher and later the principal in Huntsville, Utah. In 1907 she married Joseph R. Morrell. She wrote a book about her brother, Highlights in the Life of President David O. McKay.

Arrangement

By folder and subject.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Cathy Thomas in 1999.

Separated Materials

See also the Manuscripts Division in Special Collections (MS 0684).

Processing Information

Processed by Photo Archives staff.
Title
Guide to the Jeanette McKay Morrell photograph collection
Author
Finding aid created by Sara Davis.
Date
2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863