Introducing myself: Fermín Hevia

[Fermin Hevia]

First of all, I have a secret to confess, I am not Asturian. Actually, this is not completely true. If you read my surname, you will easily identify it as an asturian one, with its origin in Villaviciosa.
It's there where my story begins. I have seen your documentary in History Channel here in Spain (i am from Seville) and I was tottally surprised, since i had no idea of such a wonderful experience of asturian people in the USA. Then, I remembered my grand-grand father: His name was Germán Hevia and his story is worthy to be told. He was Asturian, soldier of the Spanish Army. In the early XXth century, while he was on guard duty, he deserted with a bunch of soldiers and officers, that strongly disagreed with the procedures the military leadership was taking in Spain (the early years of the XXth century in Spain were a period of controversy, internal fights, the army overthrew the king, etc...), and escaped to the United States. I know he lived in Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Chicago (where he smuggled alcohol from Canada , and actually, my grand father mantained he had a pic of my grand grand father along with Al Capone and "friends"). After that, he stayed in Cuba until 1922, when he was pardoned by the Spanish Authorities and got back to the homeland. He was also personal friend of Manuel Azaña (President of the Spanish former Republic until the Spanish Civil War) and this precisely, saved his life twice when he was taken to be executed by National soldiers (Franco's side). He settled down in Seville, where he married my grand-grand mother and so on until this very day .
Does anybody heard about him? Any other "Hevia" in the States? Any help or comment will be very appreciated.
Thank you very much and glad to know former relatives.

[Bob]

Hi Fermín, and welcome to the forum.

The documentary is actually that of Luís Argeo rather than of the website itself, although some of our members helped him make contacts in the EEUU and also appear in the film itself. If you would like to own a copy, it is available for $30 from West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Just search the website for more details.

If you use the website's search function, you will discover quite a few articles that mention the apellido Hevia. After you make a small number of posts, you will be able to use the email links to communicate privately with other members.

Your greatgrandfather soundsl ike a colorful character. My own Asturian grandfather never smuggled whiskey, but he sent his sons out into the woods of West Virginia to look for stills and stashes of moonshine that he and his friends could later raid. Have you checked the Ellis Island online immigration records to look for the details of your greatgrandfather's voyage to the EEUU?