SEEING IS BELIEVING
An Unexpected Trip to Portland
After searching for homes, an old "Craftsman-looking" home caught their eye, and it had just come down in price! As luck would have it, they had to be in Portland the following week, so they decided to contact the listing agent to take a look at it on their way back to Central Oregon.
While touring the home, the hopeful visitor began to experience some signs that this might be the right place. The first little "ah ha" moment came on the front steps leading to the porch. A stone that read "Failte" (Gaelic for "Welcome"). Having started a non-profit on the Oregon Coast called the Celtic Heritage Alliance, it was a welcome surprise.
As it was Christmas time, a wreath on the door said "Must be Italian" - a reference to the "A Christmas Story" movie - and perhaps a nod to her family living in Milan who they visited recently!
As they moved from room to room, they noted a stocking hanging on the mantle read "Bella" which was the name of their dog!
The current owner wanted the realtor to relate to any potential new owner that she wanted to be sure whoever bought the home would be willing take care of the koi fish in their pond. They had always wanted a koi pond! Could this really be happening?!
As they continued through the garage, a Marine Corps uniform was hanging up just to the left. They had been in the military and their grandmother had been in the Marines in WWII!
It was all too strange!
They were told the home was on the National Register for Historic Places, but when they read the materials they picked up at the local information center, the home was not listed, so they began doing additional research to find out more about the home, and who built the home.
During their research, they came across the name of the builder, Charles DeGuire. A newsletter from the Silverton Historical Society named his parents. Francis B. DeGuire and Eleanor St. Gemme. They immediately recognized the surname "St. Gemme" from their own family tree. It went on to say that Francis DeGuire was born in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri! That, too, was in their family tree!
They decided to create a separate family tree to see if there truly was a connection. Sure enough - Eleanor St. Gemme's uncle had children which traced down one line of their family tree on their mother's side! Not only that, but there were also DeGuire's who had married into the other side of their family line as well!
In no uncertain terms - they are a distant cousin of the person who built the house - Charles DeGuire!
It was meant to be!
