UWF students, faculty and staff are invited to join the UWF Department of History and Philosophy and the UWF History Club as they host independent scholar Christine Broderick Emmanuel as she presents her recent publication, The Westcott Story, on Tuesday, April 8, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the UWF Commons Nautilus Chamber (Building 22, Room 255).

The true story of my family’s 14-generation sweep across America provides a rare glimpse of lived experiences throughout our nation’s development. In tandem, The Westcott Story exposes the frailties and tenacity of a highly-resourceful people and the realities of American life and human nature across time. The chronicle is a testament to the extraordinary strength and resiliency of the American people. In two volumes, this American story begins with nine of my lineal ascendants who, in 1630 disembarked in Massachusetts from southern England as part of the first wave of the Great Migration. Before the end of the 18th century, 31 of my maternal forebears settled in six of the original Thirteen Colonies. Contingents eventually branched into the territory of Florida, Bordeaux, France, Minnesota, and California as well. Enlivening the exploits of descendants in
each generation down the line, the narrative concludes with reasoned hope for my “GEN 14” great-nieces and great-nephews and their peers in 2024. The Westcott Story builds upon rigorous genealogical research conducted by five family historians, four of whom published their work—in 1886, 1907, 1932, and 1991. With my Jan 7, 2025, publication, the book stands as the culmination of a diligent study of the fascinating Westcott lineage. Intertwining multigenerational family history with broader American history across a vast timespan, the nonfiction serial provides deep insight into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of the Westcotts and kin. The family’s significant contributions, sacrifices, and resilience in parallel with our nation's remarkable course make it a compelling read for anyone interested in genealogy, American history, or personal stories of overcoming adversity.