Those who came before her were courageous and strong. They were peace loving people who paved the way for future generations.  Betty Jo sought to hold onto the memories of the ones whom she knew and loved, and to learn more about those whom she had never known. Their lives were intertwined with her life, and in the lives of all those to follow, for she could not escape her origins.

Betty Jo's origin is traced back to a young German immigrant, Adam Spach.  Born in 1720 in Alsace, Germany, he left his country and was among the early settlers to brave the hazards of an untamed land, seeking a place to establish a peace loving colony.

Adam and his wife, Marie Elizabeth Hueter left Maryland in 1752 and traveled south along a trail known as the "Great Wagon Road" reaching from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.  They had to conquer the gravity defying hills and rocks.  The deep ruts in the road destroyed much of their equipment and on many occasions, they had to brave the rapids in the swelling rivers that had to be crossed. 

There were times when they lost their sense of direction in the thick forest and didn't know where they were, wondering aimlessly across the rough country.  In spite of the many obstacles, they never lost sight of their goal and purpose and they continued southward looking for a place to settle.

After crossing over Virginia, they caught their first glance of the mountains in North Carolina and once they crossed over, they knew they had found their new home.

After arriving in the Moravian settlement in Salem, North Carolina, Adam Spach chose to settle in the southern portion of their new land known today as the "Friedberg Community," where he founded Friedberg Moravian Church in 1769.

Both of Betty Jo's parents were direct descendants of Adam and Maria Spach. Betty Jo became their fifth & Sixth Great, Granddaughter.