 Heather
Elizabeth Legacy
My New Orleans roots, thus far, can be traced to 1828 when my
ancestors emigrated from Alsace Lorraine. My ancestry in New
Orleans has been a rich tapestry of ethnicities. It includes
German, English Sicilian, Irish, French, Scottish and Swiss.
These descendents mostly settled in present day Uptown New Orleans.
The "loveletter" that is widely used in my work was
written by my great great grandfather to my great great grandmother.
The letters were written during a 3 year separation due to a
death in the family. He wrote to her daily. Sometimes he missed
her so much that he wrote to her three times a day. She would
eventually return back to him only to die a short time after
giving child birth. I now have a 6 inch pile of letters as a
testament to his love.
From all known stories, she was said to be a kind woman who
taught classical piano. The picture shown above are my two
great great grandparents at a Canal Street studio in the late
1890’s.
I hope that the love letter contained in each piece of jewelry
will bring some “good love gris - gris” into your
life. |
| |
 Great
Great Grandmother Elizabeth Willig born in New Orleans. |
| |
 Great
Great Great Grandmother Sarah Hickey born in Liverpool, England |
| |
 Great
Grandfather John Bennett Willig, Sr. (right) standing in front
of his business, the Central Coffee and Butter Depot during
the late 1890’s. The neighborhood suffered a terrible
fire in 1910 and this building was burned to the ground. A newer
building stands there now. It is located at 4238 Magazine Street
where Le Petit Grocery Restaurant is presently doing business. |
| |
 Great
Uncle Joseph Canatella proudly standing near his family business
truck. The Canatella family made some of the best chocolate
covered candy in New Orleans during the 1920’ and 1930’s. |
| |
 My
mother, Lois Wright (far right) at her house on First Street
in the Heart of the Irish Channel during the 1950’s. Her
older sister is in the middle, Marie Nicolich. They were excitedly
wearing their homemade Mardi Gras costumes made by grandmother,
Marie Canatella Willig. Mom was an “ice skater”. |
| |
 My
father, John Wright with his beautiful mother, Margie Wright
in the 1940’s. |
