Ancestral Spirits

In 1838 Mary Ann Penn's mother sang and rejoiced at the birth of her daughter, not knowing the prejudices, hardships, and injury Mary Ann was destined to endure. At a young age Mary Ann lost her mother, her home, and her Native-American people, traditions, and culture. But she ultimately triumphed over adversity, and generations later her spirit slipped into the dreams of her great-great-great granddaughter to relate a fascinating family saga. That descendant, Violet April Ebersole, developed a profound bond with Mary Ann. Feeling compelled to research her maternal ancestry and write the story of her family, April discovered that the historical record and DNA testing supported the information she had been receiving in her dreams. In 2005 April applied for recognition as a member of Mary Ann's Indian tribe.