The People of Pancho

At Play In The Archive

About

Pancho was the nickname applied to the growing bump on my mother’s abdomen that eventually turned out to be me. The moniker stuck, and to this day my family and old friends use it. No, it’s not short for Francisco, and no, I’m not a boy. I am only Pancho the Practice Child. My real name is Leslie. I grew up in the former Panama Canal Zone, and I now live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I’ve always been a collector of bits and pieces (especially old photographs), a lover of stories, and a seeker of explanations. This blog is my attempt to tell the stories and solve the mysteries of the vast tribe from which I come. In piecing clues together, I strive for accuracy, but I make no promises. I’m not a professional (nor particularly skilled) genealogist, and as this photo of me at age ten demonstrates, I tend toward the dramatic. Consider yourself warned.

Pancho

Oh, yeah. You’re in good hands, people.

If I could pose only one question to my ancestors, it would be, “Why the heck didn’t you guys label things better?” (Note to self: be kind to future generations. Be a good labeler.)

Thanks for stopping by.

18 comments on “About

  1. gpcox
    June 10, 2014

    I love that photo – I take it that’s you a few years back?

    Like

    • Pancho
      June 10, 2014

      Ha! Yes. More than a few years back. I was quite the eccentric kiddo.

      Like

  2. Su Leslie
    July 5, 2014

    Brilliant! I would ask the ancestors the exact same question! Our quests are so similar 🙂

    Like

    • Pancho
      July 5, 2014

      I thought the very same thing when I read your ‘about’ page. It’s so lovely to meet a fellow traveler.

      Like

  3. Su Leslie
    July 5, 2014

    Thanks for following Shaking the Tree BTW 🙂

    Like

  4. Ancestral Paths
    July 8, 2014

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I loved reading your posts; “The Hidden Branch” and “The Mystery Wife”! it is unfortunate that we don’t ask more questions of our ancestors while they are still here. We just don’t think about it. Maybe someday, you will learn who Dorrie was! Great posts!

    Like

    • Pancho
      July 8, 2014

      Thanks so much for stopping by, and for the kind words! I’ve gotten a very nice person from the Navy Nurse Association involved in helping me to at least make an identification on the mysterious Dorrie. What went on between Dorrie and my grandfather may forever remain a mystery.

      Like

  5. Brandy Heineman
    August 9, 2014

    A hearty “Amen” about labeling. I think about future generations’ discoveries quite a bit for someone with no children. Maybe I’ll be the mysterious eccentric great-aunt. 🙂

    Like

    • Pancho
      August 9, 2014

      I don’t always walk my talk where labeling is concerned, unfortunately, but I’m trying to do better. Thanks for stopping by!

      Like

      • Brandy Heineman
        August 9, 2014

        Oh, me either. The worst was the time I scanned but forgot to label a reunion pic. 1936… or was it 1932? Sigh.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Amy
    August 29, 2014

    Thanks so much for reading and following my blog. I look forward to learning more about genealogy and the Panama Canal Zone from yours!

    Like

  7. currentdescendent
    November 1, 2014

    So true about the labelling!

    Like

  8. sultanabun
    June 22, 2015

    I’m delighted that you have discovered my blog and I am intrigued by your photographs. Nice to meet you!

    Like

    • Pancho
      June 22, 2015

      Loved your low-key solstice celebration, and the stool!

      Like

  9. joannesisco
    January 9, 2016

    Nice to meet you Pancho. This picture barely disguises the heart of a free-spirit 🙂

    Like

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