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If there is something that
is left in our genes is the tradition and pride to belong to memorable
Scottish Family. The Sheppard Clan.
For the first time to our
knowledge we celebrated a gala dinner in memory of the first John Sheppard
Adison that arrived to Montevideo, Uruguay in 1857. He, as well as other
Britons as; Mackinnon; Henderson; Hughes; MacEachen; Jackson; Shaw;
Sterling; Young provided wealth, honour and progress to the country.
Even that most of our elders have passed away, we, the new generation
wanted to preserve all our roots in memory of those that gave us their
family name.
The entourage could not be better as it was held at the Golf Club of
Montevideo, founded by British of course.
Our family tree was presiding the ball room as well the Blazon of Arms,
hand painted by my mother. Also we had the picture of the son of John
Sheppard another John, giving solemnity to the banquet. Even we had an
hymn made for the occasion. We assembled six generations since 1857, that
came even from Europe. The purpose of the event was to pass on the "torch"
of our motto " Fide et Virtute " - Faith and Virtue - to our younger
generations and to make them feel the values that have been deposited on
us.
And not only weddings and funerals had to be the time to get together !
Every member of the family was given a whole portfolio with documents
about the Clan that was much appreciated. We hope that next event we will
have the opportunity to enlarge our family with the prescience of all of
you !
Thank you very much for your time in going through these lines,
Yours,
Agustin Sheppard Gelsi.
I enclose the photographs
of the family party.
Juca Sheppard is a very famous singer here in the area (Uruguay and
Argentina) and has a band called "Sexteto Electrónico Moderno" which had a
great success during the 60's and 70's. His low voice reminds that of
Frank Sinatra, he is a really outstanding singer!
We divided the family in three branches, as John Sheppard had three sons
from where we all came: Juan Vicente (Red Branch), Antonio (White Branch)
and Eduardo (Blue Branch). The colours represent those of the U.K. flag.
From about 95 living members of the family, around 50 were present at the
meeting. Having into account that almost 35 are living abroad (21 in USA),
the gathering was very successful with respect to the number of
participants.
Thank you again and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
John Sheppard's living great grand children,
Juan Eduardo Veltroni Sheppard, Vera Veltroni Sheppard, Chicha Sheppard
Juca Sheppard singing "I did it my way"
The Blue Branch
The Red Branch
The White Branch
Vera and Horacio singing the Sheppard March
Got a note in from Johnny Sheppard...
The first John Sheppard
that arrived to Uruguay was a farmer and he bought some land around
6.000 hectares near Montevideo, the capital. As an anecdote, his milk
production was so important that they created a train station in his
farm in order to pick up the daily production. John Vincent, his son was
a business man, and his other son Edward was a Doctor. The heritage for
the love for farming and horses is still embedded in all of us, even
that we do not farm anymore.
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