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My 13th Generation Story

Writer's picture: margothoveymargothovey

Updated: May 2, 2018

Where does your legacy take you?



We can’t witness the news these days without hearing about the plight of refugees and immigrants arriving in North America. They are increasingly being unwelcomed here and afraid to be elsewhere. Furthermore, there are stories of people who are “marginalized” or on the margins of so-called mainstream North American society. Many are white and often male. Stories told from life on the margins are often considered unique as they attempt to integrate into the mainstream.


The truth is, most of us are distant travelers. Other than the first peoples, the rest of us share the fact that we come from elsewhere and have our own stories of leaving and integrating (or not). Yet, we in the mainstream often act as if we are original inhabitants ourselves. Rarely talked about is the pecking order of immigrants who create their own rules. We will explore that status order another day. Today it’s enough to explore our stories of legacy creation.


I’ve done a fair amount of genealogical research on my family. On my mother’s side, I’ve done extensive pattern analysis of medical conditions and propensities. From her side I’ve inherited a long line of strong women, leaders and helpers. Included in the list is Nellie McClung, known in Canada as a suffragette who, along with other women, is accredited with gaining the right to vote for women federally. In 2010 a statue was unveiled by the artist Helen Granger Young in Manitoba depicting the “Famous Five” to commemorate their influence on women’s rights in Canada. I’ve included a photograph of the monument above, courtesy of the Nellie McClung Foundation.


My father is the descendent of Richard Hovey who arrived in Massachusetts by boat from England in the 17th century. That makes me a 13th generation inhabitant of North America. The Hoveys’ were in America until Captain Ebeneezer Hovey was pushed out as a member of the British military during the American Revolution. He walked up from Connecticut and arrived to collect land from the, then, government of Lower Canada. Loyalists were awarded unceded Crown land; the amount was based on their position in the military. All he had to do was pay a dollar and build a domicile. He was awarded 40 hectares of land around Lake Massawippi in the Eastern Townships outside of Montreal, Quebec. There is a 5 Star Hotel standing in the location of this first domicile is called Manoir Hovey. The land has been out of family possession for generations, but the inn keepers hold on to the name, I assume for its marketing gravitas.


Two of my siblings have children. The first is a mixed-race beauty. The second is a beauty adopted when China’s one-child policy was impacted. These lovely children are the first women of colour in the family’s history. It’s quite a threshold to cross. Their lives have aligned the family with the current reality of North American population. Not to mention, of course, that their loveliness has given the family much cause for rejoice. During the same era, my step-daughter gave birth to a mixed-race lad. Together, these three inspired my dedication to creating a peaceful and harmonious future for them through my commitment to Diversity & Inclusion.


What does your family story inspire you to commit to?


Contact me to explore your story of self knowing and the legacy you will leave behind at margot@margothovey.com.

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