Manuel Churchman's family originated from two places - one side came from Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico and eventually settled in La Puente, California. The other side immigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany. His father's side was part of the first wave of immigration to the US in the 1600s-1820s, while his mother's side from Mexico was part of the later 1918-present wave. Both sides moved to California seeking better opportunities, employment, wages, education, and quality of life compared to their places of origin.