Back to RoyWalton.com

Family Heritage: A Journey Through Generations

With the birth of our first grandchild, we figured we would put the family history together. Explore the rich tapestry of my family history spanning nine generations, from Mayflower passengers to Revolutionary War soldiers, immigrants seeking new opportunities, and the personal stories that shaped who we are today.

Genealogy Breakdown

1
2
3
1

Parents

Walton, Baccaro, Lloyd, Kmiecik

2

Grand Parents

Walton, Williams, Martino, Pugliese, Kmiecik, Pieczarka, Lloyd, Stuczynski, Mihalkovitz, Blondin

3

Ancestors

Cooke, Warren, Smith, Skillings, Egan, Bonner, Panek, Wrobel and many more from England, Ireland, Italy, and Poland

The family tree represents a rich tapestry of European heritage, with ancestors who braved ocean voyages to start new lives in America. From the Mayflower passengers to 19th and 20th century immigrants, each branch of my family contributed to the American story in their own way.

Family Origins Map

England: The Waltons

John Cooke arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, his granddaughter Mary married William Walton. They settled in Plymouth before migrating to Morris County, New Jersey.

See the Walton Family Tree

Italy: The Baccaros and Blondins

James and Rosia Baccaro immigrated from Roccamandolfi, Italy and Pasquale Martino and Lena Pugliese immigrated from Calabria, Italy in the mid-1800s. They all settled in New Jersey.

See the Baccaro Family Tree

See the Blondin Family Tree

Poland: The Kmieciks and Stuczynskis

Kazmir Kmiecik arrived in America in the early 1900s, establishing the first generation in Massachusetts.

See the Kmiecik Family Tree

See the Stuczynski Family Tree

Wales: The Lloyds

The Lloyds arrived in America in the late 1800s from Wales and Poland, establishing the first generation in Massachusetts.

See the Lloyd Family Tree

Ireland: The Williams and Egans

The Williams arrived in America in the mid 1800s and the Egans in the early 1900s with both families settling in New Jersey.

See the Williams Family Tree

See the Egan Family Tree

The Mayflower Connection: John Cooke

Born in 1618 in England, John Cooke arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 with his father Francis, a signer of the Mayflower Compact. John married Sarah Warren, daughter of another Mayflower passenger, and became deacon of Plymouth Church before being expelled for causing "trouble and dissention."

Their descendants include Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr.

See the Cooke/Walton Family Tree

Revolutionary Roots: Jacob Walton

1

Birth in New Jersey

Born in 1740 in Rockaway, New Jersey to John and Ann Walton.

2

Family Life

Married Jennie and had five children: John, Mark, James, Amos, and William.

3

Revolutionary War

Enlisted in the Morris County Militia. Believed to have been killed at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777.

Immigrant Experience: Kazmir Kmiecik

Immigration

Born circa 1900 in Poland, Kazmir came to America seeking a better life, adopting the name "Charles" to avoid discrimination.

Farm Life

Purchased land in Blandford, Massachusetts, creating a farm with vegetables and livestock that sustained his family through the Great Depression.

Legacy

After his death at 50 from colon cancer, his son Theodore established "Hilltop Blueberry Farm" on the family property.

Roy G. Walton: Family Provider

Roy was born October 25th, 1929 in Newark, New Jersey. Growing up Roy moved numerous times before the age of 10, finally in fourth grade they settled in Newark, New Jersey. They lived in a six tenant apartment building similar to those of a dumbbell apartment.

Growing up Roy was always working, he was driven. He worked every summer at his aunt's fish market at the Jersey Shore and made a mere $20 a week. He paid his aunt $5 for rent, send $5 to his mother to help support the family, and saved the rest.

Click HERE to learn more

Rose Baccaro: Italian Heritage

Rose Baccaro grew up in a household deeply influenced by her grandmother Lena Pugliese, who immigrated from Calabria, Italy at age 18. Lena's determination to learn English and her emphasis on family gatherings shaped Rose's character.

Known for her headstrong personality, Rose would sneak out to see Frank Sinatra perform and she loved to host family gatherings and shower then with love … and food.

Click HERE to learn more

Donald Lloyd: Engineer and Marathon Runner

Don was born September 23rd in New Haven, CT to Fred Lloyd and Mary Stucinsky. He lived in New Haven and Hartford, CT before moving to Westfield, Massachusetts where he graduated from Westfield High School.

He began a career with Hamilton Standard as an aeronautical engineer. He spent his time working on space gear. A lot of his time was spent working on the back pack for N.A.S.A. astronauts for the lunar missions. In 1969 Donald and his family, now consisting of four children, Norman, Gary, Catherine, and Debbie, moved to Texas so he could work at N.A.S.A's Johnson Space Center.

Click HERE to learn more

Helen Kmiecik: Strength Through Hardship

Born July 10, 1933, Helen grew up on a farm in Blandford, Massachusetts during the Great Depression. Her upbringing instilled a philosophy of "waste not, want not" that she carried throughout her life, even after marrying aeronautical engineer Donald Lloyd.

An avid traveler and gardener, Helen battled lung cancer before passing away, leaving a legacy honored by her daughter Catherine's annual garden plantings.

Click HERE to learn more