When I was in college, people would ask me if I was related to the pioneer Jacob Hamblin. That simple question sparked a curiosity that’s lasted ever since. I’m Cory Hamblin, a 41-year-old postal worker from Woods Cross, Utah, married with two kids — and I’ve always been drawn to the connections between people and the stories we inherit.
I became fascinated with uncovering the stories that time had buried. There was one, especially, that piqued my curiosity, a question that had lingered in our family for generations: what happened to my grandma’s uncle, William Oral Savage?
Cory Hamblin
The mystery of William Oral Savage
Oral’s story was a loose thread that no one could quite tie. He was born in 1911, and when his mother, Caroline Savage, died during the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918, the family was torn apart.
Great-great-grandmother Caroline Savage. Photo enhanced and colorized by MyHeritage
Oral Savage (front left) with his father and older siblings after his mom’s death. Photo enhanced and colorized by MyHeritage
By the time of the 1920 census, he was living with the local bishop’s family — the Weekes family. By 1930 and 1940, he was back with his father. Then, in 1950, he showed up in the census at the “State School & Colony for Mental Deficients & Epileptics” in Idaho.
A photo of the facility in Idaho where Oral was listed as living during the 1950 census. Photo enhanced and colorized by MyHeritage
The 1950 U.S. census record of Oral
Meanwhile, his father was living with a daughter in Utah. That was as far as we had gotten.
Finding Oral’s obituary
Then I discovered MyHeritage’s historical newspaper website, OldNews.com. I searched for Oral’s name, and it appeared that there was an obituary, so I read it and it sounded right. It listed his death date, cause of death, and burial place — essential information we had been searching for decades.
‘He never married and has no known relatives’: Oral Savage’s obituary found on OldNews.com
My grandma and her sister are still living, so I was excited to call them and let them know. My grandma had me email it to her, and then her sister reviewed it to confirm that it really was their uncle.
Cory’s grandmother
There is a family rumor that William was badly beaten in an orphanage, resulting in brain damage. While I haven’t found any documentation to confirm this, it’s notable that no other family members experienced similar issues, suggesting it likely wasn’t genetic.
Why family history matters, now and for the future
Discovering what happened to William Oral left a lasting emotional impact. Our family had been wondering about him for years. Solving that mystery brought a sense of peace, and I was grateful to play a part in that.
To me, preserving family history helps us understand where we come from, the hardships our ancestors faced, and the world they lived in. When my kids reach my age — and hopefully future generations too — I want them to know how much I valued family. Staying connected, even with extended relatives, has always been important to me.
Both of my parents are still living, and they’ve been very supportive of my research. Sharing these discoveries with them has brought us closer, and I think they’re proud of what I’ve been able to uncover.
MyHeritage makes discovery easy and meaningful
MyHeritage has been an invaluable tool in this journey. Their newspaper archive helped me find records I never would have come across on my own. I also appreciate the regular emails they send when they find new matches or documents — those tips often lead to important clues.
If I had to describe MyHeritage in one word, it would be innovative. From enhancing old photos to uncovering hidden documents, the tools they offer are truly impressive. I think more people should dive into their family history, not just to understand the past, but to help us all feel more connected in the present.
Many thanks to Cory for sharing his amazing discovery with us! If you’ve also made an incredible discovery with MyHeritage or on OldNews.com, we’d love to hear about it. Please send it to us via this form or email us at stories@myheritage.com.
The post Finding My Grandma’s Long-Lost Uncle: How an OldNews.com Obituary Resolved an Old Family Mystery appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage