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Velda's Hurst/Riggs/Waldrip/Cowherd/Abel Genealogy Site

Updated April 12, 2004

Velda Sue Espinoza-Saldana
velda.saldana@hp.com

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This homepage has the details of the research done by Velda Saldana covering the surnames; Hurst, Riggs, Waldrip, Abel, Cowherd, Connelly, Laswell, and others...

A little about me. My name is Velda Sue Espinoza-Saldana. I was born in 1962 in San Jose, California to Rudolph J. & LeeOna Hurst-Espinoza. I had a very normal and happy childhood. We lived in the same house all my life, so I never had to move and make new friends. Though we lived far from Mother's relatives we always kept in touch through cards, letters, phone calls and the "Round Robin". We were very close physically & emotionally to Dad's family so there was never a shortage of cousins for me to play with.

Father's parents came to the US in the early 1900's. I don't suppose I'll ever really know why. Unfortunately I waited too long to start asking questions, and even then people are reluctant to give out information. In the latin culture it is considered rude to be "nosey". If you want to see your elders eyebrow's raise, just have the audacity to ask for things like date and place of birth or date they married - including year!

This is not an easy or popular quest. In addition most of us do not realise the value of our history and the memories of our elders until it is too late.

Dad left school in 8th grade to go to work with his Father and Brother in order to provide for his 11 younger siblings. They did migrant farm labor, set dynamite in the rock quary, and the other various jobs that welcomed Mexicans. Dad was always determined that his children would finish school and not work so hard. One of my happiest memories is watching his face as I walked across the stage to get my AA. I'm glad he was there for that.

Mama's people were no less hardworking, her parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents were "settlers" or "Homesteaders" and they left settled areas to stake claims in unsettled aresa, so their lives were not easy. I can trace Mother's lineage back to the 1700's. Mother was able to stay in school right up through to a formal High School Graduation and some of her siblings even went on to college.

Mama had a HS education, and she could have chosen a different, less laborious job. How many times many times she was offered work in the offices or as a "forewoman" but Mama always said she liked it better working right alongside the women on the line. This she did for almost 40 years here in San Jose. Frist for Contadena Cannery then later for USA Cannery.

I am one of the last baby-boomers. My father was a sergeant in WWII and spent a couple of years of active duty combat in Europe. Italy mostly. Upon his discharge he returned to Lawton, Oklahoma and helped his Father's family move to San Jose, California. Once settled here in San Jose Rudolph returned to Lawton, married LeeOna and soon after they came to California to join Rudolph's family.

Rudolph went to trade school and bought his home using his GI Bill benefits. Eventually becoming a dry-cleaner, a profession he worked at for 45 years; first for Ecenomy Cleaners on 2nd and Santa CLara Streets in San Jose, then later for San Jose Cleaners on San Carlos where he eventually retired from and LeeOna worked in the canery with her sisters-in-law for many years.

Together they raised two daughters and one son, they paid their taxes, voted regularly and contributed to the city San Jose has become, and the nation the USA has become.

This website is dedicated to Rudolph, LeeOna and their ancestors.

May we, their descendants honor them with our conduct in this life.

GEDCOM Trees (viewing trees requires 4.0 or later)

  • Velda's Gedcom (714 KB)
    This family tree lists the Abel, Waldrip, Cowherd, Hurst, Riggs, Nighswonger, Espinoza, Saldana and related families.
 

Family Photos

  • New Home Announcement 1785 Kammerer Ave (80 KB)
    This is the announcement that was provided by the realtor when my parents bought their house in 1950/51. The house still looks pretty much the same, except for the nice bedroom added by my Uncle Leland.
  • Rudolph & LeeOna Espinoza (109 KB)
    These are my parents; Rudolph Juarez Espinoza & LeeOna Helen Hurst-Espinoza
  • This is Wayne Hurst & Dwight Nelson (150 KB)
    Wayne is the son of Lewis Hurst, Jr. & Margaret Marie Scates. Dwight Nelson is the son of Walter O Nelson & Louise Maxine Hurst.
  • Velda Sue in 1964 (119 KB)
    This is me! I WAS cute at one time..... hahaha
  • Aaron & Mary (Connelly) Riggs (68 KB)
    Aaron & Mary Connelly-Riggs were the parents of Samuel Riggs, grandparents of Ellen Sarah Riggs (my Grandmother). I will add more info on them later...
  • Will of James Waldrip (36 KB)
    excerpts from the will of James Waldrip
  • John & Kate Hurst Family (prior to 1888) (530 KB)
    This photo was probably taken in Kansas, I know it was prior to 1888 (the date of my Grandfather's birth) because Grandpa was not born yet. The baby Ruth Zella died very young (abt. 5 yrs old) and is buried near her Father in Reno Co., Kansas. These are my great-grandparents, my Mother's Father's parents. Those are his brothers; Eugene, Owen & Ernest Hurst.
  • Jennie Merkland (212 KB)
    Jennie Merkland of Woodward Oklahoma married Oliver Hurst (my grandfather's brother) in the early 1900's and remained in Woodward Co., with her husband. The had a fine farm and raised their family near the old Hurst homestead. Descendants of Jennie Merkland & Oliver Hurst remain in the area to this day.
  • LeeOna Helen Hurst High School Senior Picture (2313 KB)
    This photo should print 8x10 size.
  • Juanita Hurst 1935 (183 KB)
    This is my beautiful Aunt Juanita. Mama was always so proud of Juanita for being an independent woman.
  • Peter G. Hurst (99 KB)
    This is Peter G. Hurst, my Great-Great Grandfather. Born Jan. 05, 1804. Father of John Hurst (who married Cassa Eliza Walter) and grandfather of Lewis, Oliver, Ernest, Eugene, Owen and Ruth Zella Hurst. The place & date of his death are unknown to me as is the location of his buriel. UPDATE 11/26/2001 - I have had help from above (and a woman in Wayne County, Ohio named Debra Snyder) and now I know that Peter died 05 March 1876 in Wayne Co., Ohio and was buried in Paradise Cemetery, Green Township, Wayne Co., Ohio
  • Riggs Wagon (217 KB)
    Sam & Sadies wagon on a road trip to visit Sam's sister Maggie Riggs-Carpenter in Garden City Kansas. Sitting is Aunt Lucy Waldrip (sister of Sadie Waldrip Riggs). Kneeling is Aunt Mary (Riggs Polley), she is cooking on the campfire on the way to Garden City, KS to see Aunt Maggie Carpenter. Boy to far right is Hamilton Riggs.
  • LeeOna Helen Hurst Baby Photo (94 KB)
    My Mother, LeeOna Helen Hurst-Espinoza. God's blessing for Velda Sue. She had a tremendous effect on my life, one that I am forever grateful for.
  • Elizabeth Schneider-Hurst (89 KB)
    This is Elizabeth Schneider-Hurst, wife of Peter G. Hurst. Born about 1806 in Pennsylvania, the place & date of her death is unknown to me as is the location of her buriel. ***UPDATE 11/26/2001 a genie angel named Debra Snyder of Wayne Co., Ohio helped me locate information on the death of Elizabeth: She died in 1898 and was buried in Paradise Cemetery, Green Township, Wayne Co., Ohio
  • Edward and James Waldrip (38 KB)
    This is James M. Waldrip and son Edward Waldrip. James info: Born 26 Jan 1840 Orange County, Indiana - Died 07Jul1917 Montgomery County, Ohio. Married Sally Beddell then Mary Dora Edmonson.
  • Wedding; Lewis W. Hurst and Ellen Sarah Riggs (181 KB)
    This is my grandparents wedding photo. I am so lucky to have this picture, thanks to Lola Hurst-Peach.
  • Baby Ruth Zella Hurst (86 KB)
    This is my Grandfather's only sister Ruth Zella Hurst, she died in infancy. Her father loved her very much and refused to move after her death. He wanted to be near to her buriel site. When John died he was laid to rest next to his beloved daughter Ruth. They are both buried in Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo, Nebraska
  • Lewis, Ellen & LeeOna Hurst abt. 1914 Oklahoma (153 KB)
    This is my Grandparents Lewis Walter Hurst & Ellen Sarah Riggs-Hurst and their firstborn child (my Mother) LeeOna Helen Hurst, taken about 1914 in Woodward, Oklahoma
  • Andrew Preston Riggs at work (90 KB)
    Andy was a Wells Fargo Messenger and he ran on the express train for several years.
  • Hurst Gentlemen (249 KB)
    This is Lewis W. & Oliver Hurst with cousin Glenn Allen taken in early 1910 in Woodward, Oklahoma
  • Riggs Sod House on Kansas Homestead (102 KB)
    This is the first improvement made by Samuel Riggs and his wife Sadie (Sarah Ellen Waldrip) on their Hutchinson Kansas homestead. You can see Sam & Sadie seated, and three of their children and a dog in the foreground. We think the man standing might be Sam's brither John. Notice that this sod house was built into a hill and even had a glass window!
  • Lewis Walter Hurst (182 KB)
    Lewis Walter Hurst, taken about 1910 in Woodward, Oklahoma
  • Rudolph & LeeOna visit her parents, (33 KB)
    LeeOna's parents were: Lewis W. & Ellen S. (Riggs) Hurst. The little dog in this photo was my Grandpa's dog Diamond. Grandpa loved diamond very much. One of my earliest memories is when Diamond was hit by a car, how Grandpa cried as he tried to wash the blood off poor little Diamond. Diamond is buried in the back yard of the property still owned by my Dad. My Father (Rudolph Espinoza) is 88 years old now and he gets very emotional when he talks about Grandpa and Diamond. Left to right: Lewis Walter Hurst, Ellen Sarah (Riggs) Hurst, LeeOna Hurst-Espinoza holding Diamond, Rudolph Espinoza - and the tall guy in the back is Uncle Leland. This is the coolest Uncle! He was always one of my favorites! Fun, and could do magic tricks.
  • LeeOna Helen Hurst about 10 years old. (135 KB)
    LeeOna Helen Hurst about 10 years old. Photo taken in Woodward, Oklahoma. This photo also includes siblings; Lewis Jr., Juanita, Louise. All children of LEwis W. Hurst & Ellen Sarah Riggs-Hurst of Woodward, Oklahoma
 

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