I reside in Napa Valley and work in the wine industry. On my father's side, I have pioneer roots in Calistoga, St. Helena, and Pope Valley through the York, Hudson, Clendenin, Samuels, Barry and McCormick families. The Yorks came to Napa Valley in the 1840s and were part of the Bear Flag Party.

My great-grandfather Charles Palmer married Clara Josephine York, daughter of W.E. "Dean" York, and it is through his children that I am related to the Morgan, Pagendarm and Thompson clans. For those who remember the up-valley court, or have driven by the stately "Palmer House" on Hwy 29, Judge Lowell Palmer was my great-uncle.

On my mother's side I have pioneer roots in Conn Valley. My maternal great-grandfather Charles H. Volper was one of the founders of Franco-Swiss Winery which, in the 1880s, reportedly produced about 40,000 cases a year. The winery was eventually sold and the Volper sons had a farm along the Silverado Trail, selling milk, almonds and a variety of goods to local, and out-of-state, customers. The farm was later owned by the Acquistapace family.

The Volper name was passed on through the family of Jules Volper. The descendants of Albert Volper include the Palmer, Abruzzini and Perata families of St. Helena, Yountville and Napa. My maternal grandmother's family includes the McGuire, Devlin, Egan, Frietzsche, Lonergan and Davis clans of San Francisco. Richard Egan, the actor, was a cousin.

I would be very happy to correspond with anyone concerning the people--or places--mentioned above. History is one of my great passions and I am always grateful for any tidbits of information or reminiscences about my family. I would also enjoy re-connecting with any family members.

I reside in Napa Valley and work in the wine industry. On my father's side, I have pioneer roots in Calistoga, St. Helena, and Pope Valley through the York, Hudson, Clendenin, Samuels, Barry and McCormick families. The Yorks came to Napa Valley in the 1840s and were part of the Bear Flag Party.

My great-grandfather Charles Palmer married Clara Josephine York, daughter of W.E. "Dean" York, and it is through his children that I am related to the Morgan, Pagendarm and Thompson clans. For those who remember the up-valley court, or have driven by the stately "Palmer House" on Hwy 29, Judge Lowell Palmer was my great-uncle.

On my mother's side I have pioneer roots in Conn Valley. My maternal great-grandfather Charles H. Volper was one of the founders of Franco-Swiss Winery which, in the 1880s, reportedly produced about 40,000 cases a year. The winery was eventually sold and the Volper sons had a farm along the Silverado Trail, selling milk, almonds and a variety of goods to local, and out-of-state, customers. The farm was later owned by the Acquistapace family.

The Volper name was passed on through the family of Jules Volper. The descendants of Albert Volper include the Palmer, Abruzzini and Perata families of St. Helena, Yountville and Napa. My maternal grandmother's family includes the McGuire, Devlin, Egan, Frietzsche, Lonergan and Davis clans of San Francisco. Richard Egan, the actor, was a cousin.

I would be very happy to correspond with anyone concerning the people--or places--mentioned above. History is one of my great passions and I am always grateful for any tidbits of information or reminiscences about my family. I would also enjoy re-connecting with any family members.