It is said that a family without history is like a tree without roots. Yes, a family's history is as important as a tree's roots which give foundation, support, and substance to the existing branches and nurturing buds and young tender leaves. Well, our family roots anchor into the Ivey family. Our family roots will be traced as far back to Mrs. Adora Ivey whom we affectionately know as Mummaa or Aunt Dora. We all hope that everyone will benefit from this historical review.

Aunt Sheva, Aunt Icy, Aunt Mary, Paupaa, Mummaa, Aunt Enid, Mass T - Do you know these names? Most of us know these districts in Trelawny: Sherwood Content, Piedmont, Reserve, Perth Town, Good Hope, etc. However, do you know these places? Browns Mountain, Garadu, Peru, Grays End, Coxheath.

Well those names and places are all part of your history, my history, our history, yes the Ivey History. I will briefly give an account of the history of Mummaa: Mrs. Adora Ivey whose maiden name was Jarrett. It is by no means exhaustive or complete. However, it is a good enough part of our roots to know and understand where we are from. It is important that you pay attention as we remember our fore parents.

I was privileged to know Mummaa, my grandmother and Pupaa my grandfather. I spent over 10 years under their loving and wise guidance. And I will pass on something I got from Mummaa to you. After she was introduced to someone new she would say, "Well, I hope we won't be any more stranger"

One day when I was a little girl, I asked Mummaa: "Mummaa, why the fowl always hold up him head after him drink water?" Mummaa in her usual wisdom answered: "Mi child, ...is because him giving God tanks."

Mummaa taught us not only by her wise counsel but by the way she lived her life was truly an example. This is one of the reasons why I fondly remember her. And my cousins have other experiences which they will be happy to share. Yes, Mummaa was truly loved by all.

Well now! How did Moses know what to write in the 50 chapters of Genesis, (for e.g.) "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth? " Gen. 1: 1 - By word of mouth, On her way home from market one day, Elena McBean was involved in an accident with her donkey and a motor vehicle. As a result of the accident she was confined to her home in Browns Mountain. Later her daughter Adora cared for her at her home in Reserve until Elena died.

Now the spotlight is on Adora Jarrett. Adora Jarrett affectionately called Mummaa was born sometime about 1893. After being nurtured by her loving mother, Elena, Adora grew to be an adorable young lady. This tall and slender young lady easily caught the eye of a dark handsome gentleman, Mr. Mike Earle. They had 2 children who are Ryana and Alexander. This union was short and later it came to an end. Later Adora/Mummaa met another handsome gentleman, Mr. Theodore Ivey (Mass T). But who was this man called Mass T?

Well, he was born in Falmouth and grew up in a district in Trelawny called Peru which is close to Good Hope District. He grew up with his grandmother because his mother died when he was only seven months old, and he didn't know his father. But he was not an only child because he had a brother - John who migrated to the Republic of Panama, and a sister - Aunt Iris who lived in Falmouth.

But of course Adora found out more about this stately gentleman, Theodore. What was she learnt was so good that she accepted Theodore's marriage proposal. And soon enough they committed their lives to each other and the marriage feast took place in Browns Mountain, Trelawny. Together they operated a grocery store in the village square of Reserve where the family lived for many years. Theodore and Adora Ivey loved children. How do we know? They had a total of 13 children; four died while quite young. So they raised 9 including Ryana and Alexander mentioned earlier, and also some of their grandchildren. Let me tell about the children Aunt Dora and Mass T raised.

They were:
The Earle's
Ryana Earle - Aunt Rye, Mrs. Dunn, a cheerful person, lives in Salt Marsh. She used to make the best fried fish you ever tasted.

Alexander Earle - Uncle Son (he migrated to UK then returned to live at Waltham Park Road in Kingston for years before he died). He was known for giving the best jokes. His wife Aunt Ossetta is living in the USA.

The Ivey's
Kenneth Ivey - Uncle Kenneth. A well respected resident of Reserve square. Although he is the first Ivey pickney I often wonder how he keeps so young. His wife Miss Hermine has done a fine job in taking care of him.

Margaret Iona - Mrs. Clarke, Aunt Margaret, Nan a retired nurse now living in England & My mother.

Doris Mrs. Brown, Aunt Doris, a no-nonsense person. She used to live in Reserve, now living in Florida with her children.

Icey- Aunt key. Mrs. Brown, a mild tempered person lived for many years before her death in Sherwood Aunt Icey was like Lydia of Bible times; she just made us calm. (Acts 16:14-15). She always had a meal or a treat prepared for all family or friend who would pass by. This was encouraged by her husband Uncle Oscar, a God fearing man who even after Aunt Icey's death always made his home, our home.

Enid - Mrs. Bright. Aunt Enid, a very outstanding and loved resident, a Post Mistress by profession lived for many years in Perth Town before her death. Her husband Mass Owen, a loving person preceded her in death.

Uriel Kentish - Uncle Ken, Maas Uriel, a sharp witty gentleman who migrated to England for many years. But cold bite him and he returned to Jamaica, living in Clarendon with his wife Delores before his death in 2005.

Raymond - Uncle Raymond, the wash belly, the quiet and considerate one now enjoys married life with his wife Stephanie in Bunkers Hill.

As time passed, the couple Mummaa and Pupaa grew older and earned the love, admiration and respect of their family and the community. Theodore was affectionately known as Mass T or Pupaa, and Adora was affectionately called Aunt Dora or Mummaa.

Mummaa was a family person. When she was not 'a yard' at Reserve she would be at Aunt lcey ‘s, Aunt Enid's, Aunt Doris' or Uncle Kenneth home assisting them with their families. She was always counting and keeping track of how many grandchildren she had. She would lament over any grandchild she was aware of for which circumstances did not permit her to meet in person.

Mass T was the strict disciplinarian so you couldn't win with him. Maas T, Pupaa died February 1961, but Mummaa continued for many years as the matriarch the family. If she were alive today she would be approximately 110 years old. But sadly she died in December 1973 and was buried in family plot at Reserve District. But that is not the end of Mummaa and Pupaa.

By records left by Noah, Abraham etc. and by Jehovah God Himself. You would realize that some of the family mentioned would have been alive when I was younger. (By name and nature) Yes, most of this rich history happened when I was a child and even before I was born. Hence we must say thanks to: Aunt Rye, Uncle Uriel, Aunt Maggie (my mother), Uncle Oscar, Aunt Doris, Uncle Kenneth, Uncle Raymond, Aunt Lesma, and I many others who paid keen attention and listened when older folks spoke about our history. As a result we are able to bring them alive in our hearts and minds and truly thank our God Jehovah that we had such blessed fore parents.
Eph 3:14-15

You the younger ones today who vaguely remember or never got to know: Aunt Enid, Aunt lcey, Uncle Son, and Mummaa and Pupaa. Ask your parents so that you too I can know of the love of your fore parents and continue to I pass on the heritage down to future generations.

Ivey Family Tree