discover my heritage

While back in Medford for a month (as I was trying desperately to break the ceiling into Portland), I found some fun photos. In combination of raiding the storage garage at my dad’s apartment, and finding some old photo albums in closets, I had a few moments to reminisce over romantic times of the past.

Seeing my maternal grandmother and grandfather in the prime of life was so invigorating. They were so polished and very 40’s. My grandfather David, was a Marine and so incredibly dashing. My grandmother, originally born in Scotland, was a knock out with a beautifully framed face and a classic look.

Flipping through pages and pages, I was able to watch the small glimpses of life evolve for everyone. There were photos of my mother as a baby, the first born.

Then came her little brother, Pete, someone who has always been considered the wild child mountain man. Ironically, I relate to Pete a lot now. I see the brilliant mind he had and still has, as an outsider, refusing to live in conformity.

Then you see my mother and Pete growing up, with fun pictures of them as kids hugging on each other, and then as young adults with those zany 60’s hairstyles.

By then, my aunt Sue showed up as one of those annoying little siblings when you’re on your way to being a teenager.

In all of this, you see my grandparents aging gracefully, until you reach a section where my grandfather is suddenly no longer in the photos. That’s because he passed away from a brain tumor.

And though you still see smiling faces in the following photos, you see my grandmother not aging so gracefully after that. You can see in her eyes a sense of abandonment. She’s scared.. You see her with cigarettes in her fingers and glasses filled with alcohol.

My mother, uncle and aunt are moving on with their lives, having my cousins and me and being married. You see photos from the 80’s of me as a little girl with my best bud and cousin Ester.

.. It’s all an interesting snapshot of the legacy of my maternal ancestry. We all have those stories.. it’s kind of strangely mystical, and it’s kind of sad that now, as 3/5’s of that immediate group are gone (my grandmother and my mom both passed away from cancer), that NOW I want to talk to them and learn more…

But I did learn a lot from that book.. It’s a valuable treasure to me. It’s safe and sound! :)

I went home for Christmas this year and rummaged through documents, books and letters to find out more about my heritage. While I wasn’t able to hone in on everyone, I did find some pretty amazing facts.

Through my maternal side, I’m distantly related to John Hancock. His cousin, Sara Hancock is one of my very great grandmothers. My maternal grandmother was born in Scotland, and her dad was a diligent member of the Salvation Army.

It was fascinating reading all this new information. I plan on trying out one of those heritage trees and seeing how far the rabbit hole goes as far as who is who in my family.

My mom wrote a book a long time ago about her family history. She knew that someday I would find great value in that book. She was a very wise woman.

Last night I sent my Dad an e-mail to inquire about my family history on his side, and to let him know that sometime down the road, soon, I’d like him to send the book that my mom wrote.

I really have a strong urge to dive into my history and learn about my heritage. Funny how life is.