Family Stories and Histories
In this Section we capture a family member presenting the history of their family in the Greater Elk Grove area, including when they settled here, where and how the came, details about their lives, occupations and their involvement in community activities. Recordings will be listed alphabetically either by family namely or subject matter. All recordings throughout the collection will be cross-referenced, as applicable, between Sections.
Pioneers
Beitzel Family History
The Beitzel family has owned land and ranched along the Cosumnes River near the community of Sheldon for over 100 years. George Beitzel, III shares the story of his family in America and their migration to California across the Isthmus of Panama, including being in the company of a young Army officer named Ulysses S. Grant.
Adams Family History
In 2018, Tonya Ray Ward, Robin Lynn Pask and Robert Hale, Jr., all members of the Adams family originally from the area around Carmencita Avenue in Florin, met with Louis Silveira and Elizabeth Pinkerton of the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation to relate the story of their early family settlers. They discussed the family’s involvement in the California Vineyard Company, the old Reese School and the Reese Library.
Croup Family History
In March 2017, the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation spent the afternoon with Lorraine Croup, a native of Hood, CA with many family connections throughout the area. Today, she lives in Elk Grove and is very active in the Historical Societies of both Elk Grove and the Sacramento River Delta. During our visit, Lorraine first shared with us her family story then she took us on a driving tour of the Delta from Freeport to Isleton, stopping along the way to review documents, chat with neighbors and revisit the bygone riverboat era of the Sacramento River.
Fife Family
In 2018, 101 year old Elk Grove resident Virginia Fife shared her family story with the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation. Mrs. Fife was recently honored with a Key to the City of Elk Grove, acknowledging her contributions to the community for over 80 years.
Foskett Family
In 2018, Jim and Barbra Foskett related to Judy Pierson and Louis Silveira, of the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation, the story of their many family connections through many generations in and around the greater area of Elk Grove
Glann Family
In February, 2018, the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation spent time with Dennis Buscher as he told the story of the Glann Family of Point Pleasant, near Elk Grove.
Grimshaw Family History
In January 2018, the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation interviewed Rick Grimshaw, a native of Sloughhouse, CA. Today, Rick owns and operates the Davis Ranch Produce Company, famous for its Sloughhouse sweet corn. Rick has deep roots in Sloughhouse dating back to 1850 and therefore takes a keen interest in the history of the area.
USMC Corporal Preston Hanford, Sr
In the spring of 2018 the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation discovered a rather compelling story that has its roots deeply steeped in all that is California. It involves a WWII USMC Veteran who is now interred in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Elk Grove. His sons shared his story with us.
Jackson Family History
​In March 2017, the LMML Foundation interviewed members of the Jackson family who are from Florin and Elk Grove. During our discussion, they told of their family’s migration across the plains, of their settling in Florin in the 1860s and of the impact the family had, and is continuing to have, on the area and its residents.In March 2017, the LMML Foundation interviewed members of the Jackson family who are from Florin and Elk Grove. During our discussion, they told of their family’s migration across the plains, of their settling in Florin in the 1860s and of the impact the family had, and is continuing to have, on the area and its residents.
Ed Keema - Siwash and Bruceville
In January, 2017, the LMML Foundation recorded a meeting of the general membership of the Elk Grove Historical Society which featured speaker Ed Keema. His topic was the history of the town of Siwash, which became Bruceville, and the families of the area. The Keema’s are early residents of the Siwash area of Elk Grove, having emigrated from Prussia then crossed the plains to the West Coast in 1851.
Mix Family Story
In February, 2017, the LMML Foundation interviewed Oscar Mix, a native of Elk Grove. During our discussion, he told of his family’s immigration from Europe, of their deeds in early America and across the country to California. Mr. Mix shared a great number of unique and compelling stories about his family and about the Elk Grove area from 1900 to today.
Strong Family
In November, 2016, the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation spent time with Jerry and Jeanie Strong at their home on Bond Road in Elk Grove, recording their family stories and many fond memories they both held.
Waegell Family
In December, 2017, the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation spent time with George Waegell as he takes us through the years relating the story of the Waegell Family, their ranching operations and what it was like growing up in Elk Grove. George also shares his perspective on the Japanese Internment during World War II, his many travels around North America, and his impressions of today’s computers and the impact of technology on humans.
Zito Family
In 2018, Mel Pierson sat down with David Lema of the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation to discuss why ‘everyone has a story to tell’. He demonstrates his point by relating the story of the Zito Family, his maternal ancestors.