I think it is very important for the children to know the language of the country they are born in. My father did not teach my siblings and I Spanish even though he is from Mexico. One of the reasons it is good to speak the language of my families orgin is that I could communicate better with my grandparents who speak Spanish. It is really important for children to know their family roots because it shows them where they came from. From my experience with this project, I see that I am a decedent of hard working people, who even though they were immigrants to America they became successful.
My mother's grandmother on her fathers side, Mary Jane Hybles, is first generation American. Her parents immigrated to America from Holland. They did not have a very hard immigration. They were financially well off, the spoke Dutch and English, so the transition was not very hard for them.
My mother's grandfathers family on her fathers side, Battjes, family immigrated from Holland as well in the 1800s, they also came from money. The family owned businesses.
My mother's grandmother on her mothers side was the Antrims. (More information to come)
Two branches of the Brachetti family immigrated to Mexico. They came from Alto Detrento in Italy, a city that was surrounded by Germany, France as well. They come from royal blood lines, from Spanish and English royalty. Even today some of the Brachetti family is in Italy. Recently my aunt has been in contact with one of our families long lost cousin. One of the reasons why the Brachetti family was so spread out is because of the family fueds. Many times after a parent died the children would fight over land and money, many hard feelings were set in place because of this, and they never spoke to each other again.
-Lauren
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Family Genealogy Interview with my Dad
I interview my dad about my family genealogy because he has reasearched most of out families information.
Where did you find out family information?
"Well, I used the LDS Genealogy centers, families working together to reasearch, original documents, birth and Social Secutrity records, other Geneology societies. A part of my family has books written about their research and accomplishments. And your mothers family has books written about the "Antrims" which she is decended from. I also got names of some of our "Antrim" family because an some one sent your Grandma Dee a letter with all the names that they had researched from journals of the "Antrims". She gave me a copy of the letter so I could insert them in our family tree."
Where did you meet obstacles in your research?
"Like I said, it's hard to find the names and stories of the "Antrims" because they kept most of their records in a book, and it's not avalible to the public. I also had problems with "adoption" laws, I cannot trace your grandfathers birth family because of them."
What other kinds of interesting things did you find out during your research?
"Well, throughout all the generations of women in our family we have many feminists in our family. In fact, your grandmothers all the way back were getting divorced and working as lawyers, doctors long before the feminist movement in both Mexico and America."
Family history is facisnating to me. I absoultly love hearing about the amazing things that my ancestors have done. It makes me proud of who I am, and greatful for the oppurtunities that I now have because of their actions. My family is spectacular. And now I know what kind people I come from. It makes me want to be better so that one day 80 years from now one of my future realitives will say "Wow, Grandma Lauren was awesome. I want to do great things just like she did."
Thank you so much dad for sharing with me. And for waking up early on a Saturday to help me!
-Lauren
Where did you find out family information?
"Well, I used the LDS Genealogy centers, families working together to reasearch, original documents, birth and Social Secutrity records, other Geneology societies. A part of my family has books written about their research and accomplishments. And your mothers family has books written about the "Antrims" which she is decended from. I also got names of some of our "Antrim" family because an some one sent your Grandma Dee a letter with all the names that they had researched from journals of the "Antrims". She gave me a copy of the letter so I could insert them in our family tree."
Where did you meet obstacles in your research?
"Like I said, it's hard to find the names and stories of the "Antrims" because they kept most of their records in a book, and it's not avalible to the public. I also had problems with "adoption" laws, I cannot trace your grandfathers birth family because of them."
What other kinds of interesting things did you find out during your research?
"Well, throughout all the generations of women in our family we have many feminists in our family. In fact, your grandmothers all the way back were getting divorced and working as lawyers, doctors long before the feminist movement in both Mexico and America."
Family history is facisnating to me. I absoultly love hearing about the amazing things that my ancestors have done. It makes me proud of who I am, and greatful for the oppurtunities that I now have because of their actions. My family is spectacular. And now I know what kind people I come from. It makes me want to be better so that one day 80 years from now one of my future realitives will say "Wow, Grandma Lauren was awesome. I want to do great things just like she did."
Thank you so much dad for sharing with me. And for waking up early on a Saturday to help me!
-Lauren
My Mom's Side of the Family Story!
My mother's grandfather on her fathers side is, James Edward Battjes.
My mother's grandmother on her fathers side is, Mary Jane Hybel.
My mother's grandmother is Delores Forche. Her history is listed on this Blog. She was one of the first women executives as Head of Computer Security (in the 70s-80s).
My mother's grandfather on her mother's side is Billy Cook. He owned "Cook Brothers Dairy" which had been in the family for generations. He also was a police officer.
My mother's father James Edward Battjes, was born Denis Ray Case, in Kalamazo Michigan. He was adopted by the Battjes Family when he was a toddler. The records of his birth mother are blocked. The Battjes family has books written on them because they were part of a big immigration in the 1800s from Holland. He had two sisters and a brother. He owned a car repair shop in Texas. My mother is his only child. He had six grandchildren.
My mom's mother Jacqueline Cook, daughter of Dee and Billy cook. She married James Edward Battjes, and had one child with him.
My mother Melissa Cordova is a student at the moment. She is the hardworking mother of six children. She is married to Hector Cordova.
*I was not able to find many names and dates. I'm going to go and look other places for them.
-Lauren
My mother's grandmother on her fathers side is, Mary Jane Hybel.
My mother's grandmother is Delores Forche. Her history is listed on this Blog. She was one of the first women executives as Head of Computer Security (in the 70s-80s).
My mother's grandfather on her mother's side is Billy Cook. He owned "Cook Brothers Dairy" which had been in the family for generations. He also was a police officer.
My mother's father James Edward Battjes, was born Denis Ray Case, in Kalamazo Michigan. He was adopted by the Battjes Family when he was a toddler. The records of his birth mother are blocked. The Battjes family has books written on them because they were part of a big immigration in the 1800s from Holland. He had two sisters and a brother. He owned a car repair shop in Texas. My mother is his only child. He had six grandchildren.
My mom's mother Jacqueline Cook, daughter of Dee and Billy cook. She married James Edward Battjes, and had one child with him.
My mother Melissa Cordova is a student at the moment. She is the hardworking mother of six children. She is married to Hector Cordova.
*I was not able to find many names and dates. I'm going to go and look other places for them.
-Lauren
Friday, November 12, 2010
REAL Camping
I admit it! I'm a spoiled camper. I've only had to sleep in a tent three times in my life. When I go "camping" it's usually to an air conditioned cabin in the middle of nowhere, with a pool and cafeteria. This Summer though that all changed. I went "real" camping with a group of 15 year old girls from my Church. We went to a river about two hours away and canoed for 5 miles! After the canoeing we drove another hour to our camping grounds. It was beautiful because it was next to a huge lake.
*We were the last people to make it to the end because we kept getting stuck and dumped over. While on the river I saw an amazing water snake, I was really grateful that she didn't push the canoe over when we passed it.
*I woke up early both mornings while camping and got to the see the sunrise. It was an amazing experience for me because it felt nice in the morning and I got to sit and think about things that had been bothering me. It was wonderful!
*I plan on going "real" camping again during the winter. I now know that I should check the spot where I put the tent before setting it up, and to bring a can a raid to get rid of the attacking roaches I mean embrace nature, roaches and all.
-Lauren
This is what it looked like at night. I didn't bring my camera to the camping trip because I didn't want to ruin it.
I had to help put up three tents when I got to the camp grounds
. And because I'm not an experienced camper, it took a while. After an hour of attempting to put up the last tent, which kept falling, we finally figured out that we had put the stakes in wrong. Yeah, like I said, I am not an experienced camper or tent setting up person. My group cooked in a dutch oven over a fire that we had to build and use flint to start. I was in charge of gathering twigs and keeping the fire running. I cut up some of the vegetables we were given and we made an amazing soup. We also made things called "Banana Boats", and then we put it over the fire. It was delicious. The amazing food definitely made me like this camp out a lot more. That night we went to sleep in the tent that we had struggled with. I really hoped that it wouldn't fall on us in the night. After laying down my group realized that we had set the tent up on tree roots. The worst part was not the fact that the roots were poking our backs, it was that we knew we couldn't get out and move it. Everyone who had been sleeping in the middle of the tent had to move more to the side to get away from the roots, which meant that all of us sleeping on the sides got scrunched up. It was hot and humid and it felt disgusting outside. There was a roach on the other side of the "window" looking at me all night, and I accidental kicked the girl next to me when I finally fell asleep. I was really grateful that we only had to camp for two nights, and not the whole week. By the morning I was stinky because their wasn't any showers at our camp site. I could not wait to get to our cabins back a Camp Ta-Ku-La to take a shower and enjoy the bliss of air conditioning. Camping and being outside was not too horrible though. It was a character building experience that's for sure.
. And because I'm not an experienced camper, it took a while. After an hour of attempting to put up the last tent, which kept falling, we finally figured out that we had put the stakes in wrong. Yeah, like I said, I am not an experienced camper or tent setting up person. My group cooked in a dutch oven over a fire that we had to build and use flint to start. I was in charge of gathering twigs and keeping the fire running. I cut up some of the vegetables we were given and we made an amazing soup. We also made things called "Banana Boats", and then we put it over the fire. It was delicious. The amazing food definitely made me like this camp out a lot more. That night we went to sleep in the tent that we had struggled with. I really hoped that it wouldn't fall on us in the night. After laying down my group realized that we had set the tent up on tree roots. The worst part was not the fact that the roots were poking our backs, it was that we knew we couldn't get out and move it. Everyone who had been sleeping in the middle of the tent had to move more to the side to get away from the roots, which meant that all of us sleeping on the sides got scrunched up. It was hot and humid and it felt disgusting outside. There was a roach on the other side of the "window" looking at me all night, and I accidental kicked the girl next to me when I finally fell asleep. I was really grateful that we only had to camp for two nights, and not the whole week. By the morning I was stinky because their wasn't any showers at our camp site. I could not wait to get to our cabins back a Camp Ta-Ku-La to take a shower and enjoy the bliss of air conditioning. Camping and being outside was not too horrible though. It was a character building experience that's for sure. This is right after arriving at camp. Yes I did go right for my sister's shampoo so I could get all the sand and other gunk out of my hair! As I said before, I am not a camping kind of girl!
This is a picture of some of us during lunch break. I loved the canoeing trip. The river was blocked in some places by fallen trees, and our canoe kept getting stuck! The girl I was with was the leader of our canoe but she kept pushing our canoe over. She did it four times, getting everything I brought soaking wet. By the time we finally got the paddling down we had reached the end. It was a lot of fun and I my arms felt very firm by the time it was over! It was an amazing experience to be a part of and I'm thankful for the chance I got to know the girl I was with, and the two girls who stuck around with us.
*We were the last people to make it to the end because we kept getting stuck and dumped over. While on the river I saw an amazing water snake, I was really grateful that she didn't push the canoe over when we passed it.
*I woke up early both mornings while camping and got to the see the sunrise. It was an amazing experience for me because it felt nice in the morning and I got to sit and think about things that had been bothering me. It was wonderful!
*I plan on going "real" camping again during the winter. I now know that I should check the spot where I put the tent before setting it up, and
-Lauren
Friday, November 5, 2010
Renissance Festival 2010!
I was so happy to be able to go to the Renaissance Festival this year! I got to go last year with my whole family, including my uncle and grandmother on my mom's side of the family. But this year I went solo, well with only one of my siblings. Josh and I had a lot of fun together, and we bonded over this amazing experience. I never expected that to happen! We could not find half the people on the list because they were either not at the Faire that day, or escorting other school children to and from events. I was very sad about it, but I was able to have a great day of learning and fun anyway! My mother fixed my hair into a "crown braid" and I felt like a fairy princesses".
What I learned about Queen Juana of Spain.
I was ecstatic when I realized who this character was! I used to act in youth productions of Shakespeare plays! In "A Midsummers Night's Dream", I played the fairy Peaseblossom, and got to pet "Bottoms" head. This moment made me remembered that amazing experience on stage. This "Bottom" is definitely my favorite "Bottom"!
I also bought an amazing "Wax Rose" I'm in love with it. It is so beautiful, and it makes me happy every time I look at it, so I put it on my desk at home. Best $6 ever spent! I also bought an adorable necklace that I wear with everything! (even when it doesn't match) Both items remind me of the wonderful time I got to spend with my brother, and all the the spectacular things we were able to do.
We rode on the spinning ride, ate a lot of pretzels and popcorn, looked at $80 umbrellas, and also saw a couple of our friends during the Festival. I actually learned about historical figures, and about the intelligence of birds, I also learned half of the dance, and met one of my favorite historic characters: Anne Boleyn! I cannot wait to go next year!
*Only Bad thing: I tripped on a pretzel on my way to the Jousting tournament. Yes, I did just say pretzel! I had dirt on my pants for the rest of the time!
-Lauren
What I learned about Queen Juana of Spain.
- She is the daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella who funded Columbus’s explorations.
- She has 6 children with her husband King Felipe of Spain. She calls him “Phillip the Handsome”.
- Her sister is Catherine Argon who was married King Henry the 8th.
What I learned about Ackbar the Moor:
- He hails from Istanbul.
- He started going to the academy young, because he wants to be an admiral.
- He is 30 years old and he is 3 years away from becoming a full fledged admiral!
- He is close with his grandmother, but she is a bit whiner and very talkative!
The pirates we extremely nice! Especially the Captain. Hm....I wonder if I'm allowed to say that. He told me where to find certain people, and also what to look for when so I wouldn't pass by somebody that I needed to meet! Because of him I found Ackbar the Moor. He told me to look for a man in a turban, I would have walked right passed Ackbar if the Captain hadn't told me what to look for!
I was ecstatic when I realized who this character was! I used to act in youth productions of Shakespeare plays! In "A Midsummers Night's Dream", I played the fairy Peaseblossom, and got to pet "Bottoms" head. This moment made me remembered that amazing experience on stage. This "Bottom" is definitely my favorite "Bottom"!
The first person I met was "Hammish MacGregor the Piper"! He was so nice! Unfortunately, I kind of forgot to ask him my questions. I asked for directions to the Queen of Spain!
The events we went to (that my brother refused to take pictures of) were:- The Jousting tournament. We cheered for Spain! I felt sorry for the other guy because I always cheer for Spain. Oh well, maybe next year Ireland.
- Birds of Prey. This has and always will be my very favorite show at the Renaissance Festival. I love his owl she is beautiful. All of his birds are amazing. The birds all fascinate me. Especially the vulture. I know it sounds really weird but she is amazing.
- The Clan Tynker Show. They were kind of funny. They used Chinese Yo-Yo's, and it was amazing. I think the reason why I liked it so much is because I can appreciate how hard it is to use a Chinese Yo yo. It's crazy hard to do it normal, to keep it moving and on the string. Or maybe I'm just special that way!
- The School of Dance. We went to one session, but my brother would not dance with me. So I danced with my imaginary partner, and watched the others dance with their groups, and tried not to feel too envious.
- We stopped many times along the way to listen to the musicians that were playing. It was amazing. We also got to see a belly dancer at one stage! It was awesome!
I also bought an amazing "Wax Rose" I'm in love with it. It is so beautiful, and it makes me happy every time I look at it, so I put it on my desk at home. Best $6 ever spent! I also bought an adorable necklace that I wear with everything! (even when it doesn't match) Both items remind me of the wonderful time I got to spend with my brother, and all the the spectacular things we were able to do.
We rode on the spinning ride, ate a lot of pretzels and popcorn, looked at $80 umbrellas, and also saw a couple of our friends during the Festival. I actually learned about historical figures, and about the intelligence of birds, I also learned half of the dance, and met one of my favorite historic characters: Anne Boleyn! I cannot wait to go next year!
*Only Bad thing: I tripped on a pretzel on my way to the Jousting tournament. Yes, I did just say pretzel! I had dirt on my pants for the rest of the time!
-Lauren
Saturday, October 2, 2010
My Living History Journal Project! My First Post!
Hello! I'm Lauren Cordova and this blog is dedicated to my "Living History Journal Project". I go to Lone Star College- University Park and my history 1302 Professor's name is J. Quiroga. And this project is going to be amazing! So I hope you keep reading my other posts!
-Lauren
-Lauren
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