From grandparents and parents to aunts, uncles, and cousins, continuing family traditions is an important part of our family.

1. CULTURAL
ROOTS
Cammie L. Morgan
Angelo State University

2. German Immigration to Texas
German roots run deep within my
family. All sets of my great, great,
great grandparents immigrated from
Germany in the 1840’s. Some settled
in what is now Castroville while
others settled in Bergheim and
Fredericksburg. The picture to the
left is my paternal grandmothers’
mother, Katie Marie. Even though
Katie was born in Texas, she spoke
very little English. My oldest
daughter is named after Katie and my
youngest daughter is named after my
maternal great grandmother.

3. Religion
My ancestors who immigrated
from Germany also brought
their faith with them. While
some of my ancestors were
Lutheran, the majority of them
belonged to the Methodist
Church. My family’s ways of
life have always revolved
around our faith. We celebrate
Christian holidays, go to church,
and worship together. Whether
a blessing before a meal or
prayer during stressful times,
prayer and praise are something
my family always practices.
Methodist traditionally baptize
as infants with the belief that
baptism is the beginning, not the
end. The picture to the right
shows a traditional Methodist
infant baptism.

4. Communion
One of my most vivid
religious memories of a
child was communion.
I always attended
church with my
paternal grandmother.
We may not have
always attended church
every Sunday, but one
thing is for sure: We
always attended on
Communion Sunday.
Methodist welcome all
to participate in
communion. The
picture to the right
shows the chalice with
juice which represents
the blood of Christ and
the bread symbolizes
the body of Christ.

5. Agriculture
For generations, agriculture
has been an important part of
my family’s life focusing on
sheep, goats, cattle, and swine
production. In addition to
livestock, my family farmed
land producing hay and grain
to feed the livestock. Today,
my children have carried on
this legacy by raising both
swine and Angora goats in
which they exhibit at livestock
shows all across the state.
Pictured to the right my oldest
daughter exhibits one of her
pigs.

6. Raising Livestock…A Family Tradition
.
Angora Goats are raised primarily raised for
their elite fiber called mohair. My family
has been raising Angora goats since the
early 1900’s. My children and I have
continued to carry on this legacy. In the
picture below, my oldest daughter pours
feed to a herd of older nannies. .
In the picture above, my youngest
daughter holds a baby orphan goat
that she bottle feeds three times a day.

7. Gardening
For as long has I can remember,
gardening has been an important part of
my family. My grandma routinely grew
cucumbers, squash, green beans, beets,
tomatoes, turnips, and more. She would
have a huge garden and all of the family
would work to help cultivate that garden.
Vegetables were eaten fresh and canned
for later use. The most famous of all
were my grandma’s canned dill pickles.
The tasty recipe has been used for 6
generations. Today, my cousins and I
still make the pickles. Pictured to the
left is my daughter working in the
garden with my father.

8. Family
Gatherings
Whether it is a holiday or a
special birthday or wedding,
my family always comes to
gather to celebrate with food,
music, and games.
Traditionally, sausage, potato
salad, and beans are served
for outdoor barbecues.
Country music, washer
pitching, and domino games
keep everyone entertained.
Pictured to the right guests
visit in honor of my
grandma’s 90th birthday.

9. Christmas
Christmas is one of the most important
holidays for my family. Traditionally,
Christmas trees are decorated the day
after Thanksgiving and are not taken
down until after January 1. Each family
member hangs a stocking from the mantle
to be stuffed with candy, toys, and other
goodies. When I was a child, our family
always gathered at my grandma’s house
on Christmas Eve to bake and decorate
cookies. Our celebration continues
through Christmas Day where the children
await for Santa.

10. Easter
Another important holiday for
my family is Easter. After
church on Easter Sunday,
both adults and children hunt
colored Easter eggs. The
night before Easter Sunday,
the children build nest for the
Easter Bunny to lay eggs.

11. Geographic
Location
While I do have some cousins
who live out of state, the
majority of my family have
remained in Texas. From
grandparents to aunts, uncles,
and cousins, my family has
always shown each other
affection and love. Hugs are
generally given when greeting
each other and when saying
good-byes.

12. Respect
The importance of respect, manners,
and punctuality have always been
stressed in my family. My grandfather
used to always say, “Being on time and
a good handshake shows a hard
worker.”

13. Quilting
While today quilting,
crocheting, and sewing are
more of a hobby than a way of
life, generations ago these
things were a necessity.
Thankfully, I had the privilege
of learning to crochet and even
helped my grandma make a
quilt. I can remember my
grandma having quilting
parties for the community
where ladies would gather to
socialize and sew just as the
ladies in the picture.

14. Family
Both my immediate and
extended family have always
been close to one another.
Whether good or bad times,
we know we can rely on each
other. Perhaps some of our
ways of life have adapted to
modern times, but one thing
that has remained the same for
generations is our love and
faith for Jesus Christ and each
other.