The Samoan Connection

 


This photo is from a family reunion a few years ago. All of the people in the photo are my cousins (2nd, 3rd, 4th, most removed a generation or two). Alert observers will find Bonnie and me sitting on the left. Alert observers will also notice that Bonnie and I are quite a bit more "pale" than the rest of the people in the picture! Most have Samoan blood with some Hawaiian added in. They are my aiga, my ohana, my family. But I am pure Caucasian.

My great grandfather was named David Kenison. We believe he was born in eastern Canada in 1836 and was a seaman. He married in New Zealand, and ended up in Samoa. He and Ann Elizabeth had 13 children over the course of 25 years, many of whom didn't live to be adults. The three older sons, however, married Samoan women and put down roots in the islands; their descendants are the people in the photo. My grandfather Thomas and some others of the younger children came to Utah with their father in 1899 (after he had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and eventually were married here. So there are two "branches" of David Kenison's descendants: the Samoan and the Caucasian.

I feel very privileged and I #GiveThanks to have a connection to the beautiful people of the Pacific islands. It's been a great privilege to discover that connection and get to know many of my cousins over the years. When I was 19, I secretly hoped I would be called on a mission to serve among them; but the Lord wanted me to have other experiences. I look forward to having the chance to visit the islands of Savai'i and Upolo and learn more about my own family history there.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Napping in public

Image
  As I get older, a good snooze now and then is a joy and a blessing. I seem to want to enjoy that blessing more frequently! Not a thing wrong with that, especially in the circumstance shown in the first photo (thanks Matthew for the photo).... As I was in a meeting earlier today, watching those seated in front, I had some flashbacks that involved others, and perhaps myself, who struggled with the particular challenge of staying awake in that setting. I remember thinking in the past, "How rude - not a very good example for a leader to doze off in front of everyone." But later I learned how hard it can be to remain alert, when very early morning meetings and a demanding schedule can wear on your ability to endure. I guess I had to "be there" to fully appreciate the struggle. Years ago I remember reading a delightful essay by BYU English professor Richard Cracroft titled "On the Vicissitudes of Serving in the Bishopric" (such a memorable title!) in which he
Read more

Nature's secret maps

Image
  On a hike in the woods earlier this week, Bonnie and I noticed there were logs set across the trail now and then, probably for erosion control. But on closer inspection, we started to realize there were patterns on the logs, and on even CLOSER inspection, we started to realize that the patterns looked like trail maps! Clearly, we decided, they were secret messages for the highly observant hikers indicating the locations of spectacular secret ancient treasures!! Of course, it became necessary to follow the pattern of a couple of the secret maps. After some expert and exhaustive tracking, we excitedly came to the end where the spectacular secret ancient treasure would be, and found nothing... only this (see additional photos). Oh, wait...... I #GiveThanks for spectacular secret ancient treasures and the chance to discover them by following nature's carefully encoded maps.  
Read more

Every Day is a Gift

Image
My father's mortal experience ended when I was 7 years old. He didn't get the privilege of seeing his five children mature and marry, and have children of their own, or feel the special joy of being a grandfather. I now have grandchildren the age that I was when he left us - a whole generation of extra time. So I #GiveThanks for the gift of one more day, a priceless ongoing sharing of joy.
Read more