[ohomem_t]

Ever since I learned about the background of my ancestors, I have been interested in learning as much as I can about it. For instance, my paternal uncle has told stories about how one of my paternal ancestors, with the surname Diaz, which is the family surname, came to D.R. at one point and was part of one of several families who came there and settled in Santiago. I heard that the archives that tell of his arrival where destroyed at one point, so there's no proof in that sense. However, both sides of my family have constantly mentioned the Spanish ancestry, especially due to the fact that there are many people in the family with the typical European features, i.e., white skin, blond or chestnut hair, eyes of green, blue, or a light brown. When I ask my parents how come they really never looked into further learning about the family history, they said that their parents didn't consider it very important, and they don't think it's such a big deal either. I myself know that people are people, but it's interesting to learn know one's ancestors came from a place that has an interesting history and from which the family language originates. I feel proud when I know that an aspect of the D.R. culture, such as the merengue music, has such a great rhythm on account of the African influence that's present in the country. As far as the Spaniards, I think that some people from D.R. may be ignorant to the fact that the first Dominicans were Spanish colonists, and so may look at them as a completely different people.