12/31/2021
I have taken the challenge posed by one of the genealogists I follow, Amy Johnson Crow to write about an ancestor each week – hence the name; 52 ancestors in 52 weeks.
I started looking into my past long before it became fashionable. A couple of years before my father’s death in 1990, he had become interested in finding his lineage which piqued my interest. I decided I would assume the challenge and continue the search. The question is, WHY? I don’t think this question has a definite answer. I wanted to find out who came before me, and what were they like. Where did they live and how did they survive? What was happening in their lifetime and what were their stories?
Those who came before us have all contributed to who we are – the gene pool, so to speak. I feel it important to preserve, study and pass on to our children the knowledge, passions, and ideals of our ancestors. Not only are we influenced behaviorally and genetically by our ancestors, but, in a very tangible way, we carry pieces of our ancestors within us.
Discovering one’s heritage is a homecoming in the truest sense. Our ancestry is a combination of burdens and blessings. Each name on our pedigree tells a different story – stories of success and failure, heartbreak, and triumph. I wanted to piece together facts, documentation and stories that set us apart from other families. I wanted to discover how our ancestors have enriched our lives and endowed the future and that of our descendants.
Of course, there are two sides for each of us. For me it is the Oviatt and Martin families. Some may think my family history is complicated but for me the pieces make perfect sense and fall neatly into place.
I have two older sisters – Nancy Lee Oviatt Piper and Patricia Ann Oviatt Kayl. We share the same father, LeRoy Ellsworth Oviatt. Although not raised together (except when I was about 1 year old), we have a strong bond. My oldest sister Nancy moved to Centralia, Washington where I was raised in the mid-1960s which allowed us to become close. My sister, Patty Ann, and I have many of the same traits and are surprised by our similarities. I have a unique sisterly relationship with Patricia Jean Martin Striegel. Although we don’t share either of the same parents, we do have a connection through the Martin side of our family. My mother, Delores Helen Oviatt, and Patty’s father, William Eugene Martin were siblings. Most of the time we were raised together by Helen and Roy which created a unique sisterly bond. Interesting, but sometimes confusing to others, Nancy, Patty Ann, and Patty Jean were together in their early lives so call each other sisters although there is no genetic connection. See – I told you isn’t complicated.
Back to the challenge. Each week there is a theme with the first month and week being Foundations.
January – Foundations
Week 1 (Jan. 1-10): Foundations
Week 2 (Jan. 11-17): Favorite Find
Week 3 (Jan. 18-24): Favorite Photo
Week 4 (Jan. 25-31): Curious
I thought who best to start with than my mother, Delores Helen Martin. Her birthday is January 4th, so I felt it fitting to begin my story with her. I’m not certain when or what I will write and share but do look for my first ancestor.
