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Immigration seems to be a hot topic everywhere you go these days. People are once again taking to the streets to demand immigration reform. Immigration is nothing new to us. It has been with us since our country was discovered.
Looking into my ancestry, my ancestors arrived in the Netherlands from Germany on September 27, 1746, from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, via the Orkney Islands in Scotland, on a ship named Anne Galley. We learned that we had entered the port of Delphia. Each brought the essence of what makes America the great country it is today.
This new country brought hope to all those who were willing to sacrifice everything about themselves for a mere dream. My Boone ancestors dreamed big when they settled in Virginia and North Carolina. When my grandfather was two years old, he left North Carolina with his parents and his eight siblings and settled in the coal and gas valley of Greenwood, Ark. It seems only fitting that I settle in Firestone’s Carbon Valley. It’s in my genes.
When I think of perseverance, I can only imagine the adversity they endured to settle this land we call home. I cannot understand how much patience, strength and courage it took for them to build a new life in a new, unstable and unknown country.
They were not politically aligned with Democrats, Republicans, or independents. If asked, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell if they’re conservative, moderate, or liberal. They were just immigrants who came seeking a better life for themselves and their families. I don’t believe that my ancestors thought about anything other than putting down roots, settling down, and making a living to support their families.
My cousins and I have returned to the old Boone farm many times over the past few years. Progress has changed the region, just as it has changed Carbon Valley. The road that ran alongside my grandfather’s farm was named “Boone Road” in honor of the family that settled in the area.
When I was young, I had the opportunity to spend many Saturdays and Sundays in an old house. I loved walking around the countryside, picking pears from the trees and enjoying the sweetness of fresh fruit. He loved walking barefoot, climbing trees, and sliding into the barn to sleep in the hay. Life seemed so simple, so real, so refreshing. There are many things in Carbon Valley that remind me of where I spent my childhood. Although many things have changed as we have grown, I still enjoy the rural aspect of the area. Some say we are growing too fast, others say we are not growing fast enough. However, we can still enjoy the beauty of this region, which has a simple, real and refreshing character that is the envy of many.
Have you thought about your heritage lately? Just looking back and asking your parents and grandparents to share their memories can help you discover who you are. In today’s age of electronics, our past can come alive for our families. Our traditions not only celebrate who we are, but allow us to gain a deeper understanding and clear vision of who we want to be.
Email Betty Heath at begeheath690@aol.com.
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