I fondly remember visiting with my aunts and uncles in Fort Stockton when I was growing up as they would excitedly relive the old days when they lived in Terlingua. My father had an excellent memory, and I can still hear my aunt Juanita asking him questions that had words like " …vivían ayá por la Coyota," "Chisos," "Castolon" ... and his answers would have words like "los Villaba," "mi padrino Goyo," "El Bo'."
I was too young to think too much about it then, but as I grew older their excitement stayed in my mind, and I began to feel that I had missed out on something special and exciting. Trying to gain understanding and insight into this wonderful world they had lived in led me to some interesting discussions with my parents, as well as my aunts and uncles. Although I got a rough idea, in spite of the answers they gave me, their times and lives seemed to be just beyond my grasp.
As I see the younger generations I wish I knew more so I could share this excitement with them. As I attempt to share my meager knowledge with them, I realize how little I know; and I appreciate immensely when anyone shares a story or shows me a picture. I especially appreciate my aunt Rita Sanchez nee Franco who lives in Fort Stockton for sharing and even giving me wonderful pictures from those days.
For me, this is a part time interest that soon wanes and dies only to be reborn when triggered by an old picture, or an email about a book on Terlingua. But I have friends and relatives who are much more dedicated to this quest. In my own family my cousin, Maria Louisa Madrid of New Mexico, has done an incredible job of documenting those lives. She has this excitement. She has recently shared documents and stories that have moved me to create this Web site. Thank you, Louisa.
Everyone is welcome to share stories, family trees (complete or incomplete), photos, and other documents about their own families from the Big Bend area. I would love to see many different families having their family pages here so we could all be enriched by their memories.
Antonio S. Franco
I was too young to think too much about it then, but as I grew older their excitement stayed in my mind, and I began to feel that I had missed out on something special and exciting. Trying to gain understanding and insight into this wonderful world they had lived in led me to some interesting discussions with my parents, as well as my aunts and uncles. Although I got a rough idea, in spite of the answers they gave me, their times and lives seemed to be just beyond my grasp.
As I see the younger generations I wish I knew more so I could share this excitement with them. As I attempt to share my meager knowledge with them, I realize how little I know; and I appreciate immensely when anyone shares a story or shows me a picture. I especially appreciate my aunt Rita Sanchez nee Franco who lives in Fort Stockton for sharing and even giving me wonderful pictures from those days.
For me, this is a part time interest that soon wanes and dies only to be reborn when triggered by an old picture, or an email about a book on Terlingua. But I have friends and relatives who are much more dedicated to this quest. In my own family my cousin, Maria Louisa Madrid of New Mexico, has done an incredible job of documenting those lives. She has this excitement. She has recently shared documents and stories that have moved me to create this Web site. Thank you, Louisa.
Everyone is welcome to share stories, family trees (complete or incomplete), photos, and other documents about their own families from the Big Bend area. I would love to see many different families having their family pages here so we could all be enriched by their memories.
Antonio S. Franco
