The Chosen

This site is dedicated to exploring and preserving the rich history of my family, which began when my European ancestors sought a better life and set sail for Chile, South America, in the late 1800s. I am proud to be a descendant of English, German, Croatian, Spanish, and Italian heritage. From the coalfields of Durham to the farmlands of Croatia, they all converged in the land of Chile. Through this website, I will trace our roots, share stories, and honour the diverse cultures that have shaped our family's journey. Join me in celebrating our unique heritage and the incredible legacy our ancestors have left behind.

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Mary Ann Bewick

Mary Ann Bewick was born in December 1830 in Hetton le Hole, Durham, England, and christened on December 5 of that year. She was the eldest of 14 children in the large Bewick family. Over the course of her life, she lived in various places throughout Durham, including 21 Vine Street in Tunstall and 6 Kenton Row in Hetton le Hole, always remaining close to her roots. In 1851, Mary Ann married Robert Smith in Esh, Durham. Together, they had four sons: John, William, James, and Robert. Their marriage, however, was cut short when Robert tragically passed away in 1859, leaving Mary Ann a young widow with four small children to care for. Following Robert’s death, Mary Ann continued to build her life and family. Despite the social challenges of the time, she had three more children, all born out of wedlock but carrying the Smith surname: Robert Smith, born on July 22, 1861; George Smith, born around 1863; and Thomas Davison Smith, born on July 9, 1868. All three were born in Hetton le Hole, and Mary Ann raised them with strength and determination, keeping them close to her large and supportive Bewick family. In 1873, she married again—this time to Alexander Davison. With this new chapter, her name changed once more, and she became known throughout her life as Ann Bewick, Mary Ann Smith, and Mary Ann Davison, reflecting the different phases of her journey as a daughter, wife, mother, and survivor. Mary Ann remained in Hetton le Hole throughout her life, deeply connected to her community and her many siblings. She was a woman of quiet resilience who navigated the difficulties of widowhood, single motherhood, and remarriage with unwavering commitment to her family. She passed away on February 21, 1905, at the age of 74, in her beloved hometown. Mary Ann was laid to rest in the community where she was born, leaving behind a lasting legacy of strength, endurance, and maternal devotion for the generations that followed.