Ackley family goes back six generations

Originally published Saturday, January 12, 2002

While Debbie Pier isn't an expert on her family history, she enjoys discussing it with her grandmother, Irene Pier, who does genealogy.

"We go back six generations here," Pier said, adding that a Mr. Ackley was the first on her family tree to settle in Thurston County in the 1800s.

She enjoys knowing her family was born in the area, and having tangible reminders to go along with the stories she hears, such as those about her grandfather attending a little school on Waddell Creek. "I like to be able to actually see the different places of the past instead of just hearing about them," she said.

Other than her frequent talks with Irene, Debbie Pier said few family traditions have been handed down that affect her daily life.

However, every other year she attends an all-day family reunion at the Black Lake Grange to swap stories about the family, past and present.

Also, on Memorial Day she and other family members go to the pioneer cemetery at Waddell Creek to clean up and scrub headstones, cut bushes back and otherwise maintain it. She and her relatives start out with the family headstones, but expand efforts to others if no one seems to be tending them.

"We do the whole cemetery," she said.

Her brother, however, has a daily reminder of his roots.

"The only thing really handed down a lot is the name Thomas. It's been passed down five or six generations now," she said.

Her brother, named Thomas, also gave the name to his son. Pier's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather also were named Thomas.

Though her family tree is interesting, it's tough to follow.

"It's about six feet tall," she said.

Pier, a homemaker who is raising a 21/2-year-old daughter, Merry, said her affinity for Thurston County can be traced to her pioneer roots. She lives near Boston Harbor.

"Most of our family members have stayed in Thurston County," she said.

Her family moved out of Washington for 13 years when she was growing up, and during that time she'd come back to the area in the summertime to stay with her grandparents.

She always missed the area during the rest of the year, so she was excited when the family returned permanently. That was 14 years ago.

Though the thought of moving away has popped into her head before, she hasn't seriously entertained it.

"There's no reason to go anywhere else," Pier said. "My family is here."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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