Our Southwestern Ancestry
by
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After losing everything materialistic, they clung to their faith in God and love for one another. Was it fate that brought both the Dowell's and Dominguez's together in Lakewood many years ago? Both families enjoyed a time of prosperity and abundance. Both families lost their wealth and rightful place among the well to do. Yet, it took their combined losses to bring them together in Lakewood, New Mexico. Was this fate, or just bad luck? Which ever it was, the results were the amazing families that exist today.
Life has many "ifs". If this didn't happen, or that didn't happen, I would not be here today. The important thing that manifested itself in my dad's and mom's ancestry, was a strong sense of hope that things would get better. They worked hard and struggled for their share of happiness. The thought of giving up, never crossed their minds. They simply took things in stride and bad times were just a temporary set back for them. The riches to rags story of the early Dowell's and Dominguez families never brought an end to their story. They simply tried harder and leaned on their love of God, that they would sustain and ultimately bounce back. As time progressed, they were tested and tried in those hard working fields of adversity. As time past, each son and daughter going their own way with hope in their hearts, and love as their guide. Sure, there were tough times, but a sense of family and togetherness brought them where they are today. Each of their success stories are built around the strengths and faith their ancestor's instilled in them. This was also inherited by us, as they are our "familia"!
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About the Book
As pioneers crossed the Mississippi into the Southwest, Spanish settlers like my great grandfather, Victor Dominguez were recognized as Mexicans who lost the Mexican American War.
The American pioneers failed to realize that the Spanish settlers had been living in the Southwestern part of America for over 200 years before their arrival. They brought Christianity to a savage continent. They introduced the horse, longhorn cattle and sheep to the land, known as the West. They brought a new way of life to the red man, as they taught him how to plant crops and build Catholic missions.
The demise of their culture and Spanish land grants were part of America's conquest of the West.
About the Author
A desire at a young age to write and understand human behavior, brought James to seek a major in Behavorial Science and a minor in English Literature.
He began his professional career in 1962 with T.R.W. Systems, an aerospace corporation. This involved processing data on various missile firings at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and preparing reports for engineers. His tenure of eight years ended with the landing of astronauts on the moon in 1969. His layoff, due to government cutbacks, resulted in him seeking and obtaining employment with the California Department of Corrections in 1972. His assignment to death row, where the notorious Charlie Manson followers were housed, as well as an assignment to the psychiatric ward, gave him the opportunity to utilize his writing skills. This included incident and disciplinary reports, as well as directives, policies and procedures. Upon retiring after twenty five years of service, he had reached the level of Supervising Counselor.
Over the years, James has applied his skills inventing three items; a board game (Double Play), stenciling gun and a card circulating folder. He has written and has published two books, Born Without Wings and Bro-Kin Branch.
James recently retired, which allows him more time to take piano and guitar lessons as well as improve his typing skills and workouts at the gym.