A large family can supply needed employees

A franchise that has many employees working in it on different shifts is one that a large family could run quite well if the family members are so inclined. The family must however get along with each other, as they will spend even more time together if they work in the business together. Sibling rivalries can become even more pronounced when the family members need to spend even more time together. If the family gets along well together then this franchise idea may be a perfect way for the business to solve the employee need.

Another concern with using family members to work in the business is even the most harmonious families can be strained a little when they have to also spend their working hours together. Also if one of them is put in charge when the owner is not present, this must be explained and made clear that there can only be one boss running a shift.

A natural selection for assistant manager

If one of the family members is older and a natural leader of peers, then this person could be made the assistant manager or a shift supervisor. This has two advantages of letting the family member learn the business by running a part of it and being responsible of what happens when they are in charge. Some families have purchased a franchise in order to give a family member a job. In some cases it works and in some cases it is a disaster in the making. It comes down to whether the family member is capable of handling the job.

Other family-run businesses decide early to let their children learn from people outside of the family and these businesses bring in outside managers and supervisors on purpose. Smart help that is not related can create an advantageous situation for the younger family members to learn from. The removal of inside family authority can open the way for a better learning scenario.

Each situation must be judged on its own merits and handled with some care. Other employees can be affected if an incompetent family member is put in charge. This is a serious dilemma when it is done to good employees. They will resent the new boss and may leave when they become unhappy enough. Losing good employees over a bad decision like this can hurt the business in the long run.

Advantages of paying family members

When you give a family member money out of your pocket, you cannot deduct this money as a business expense. If you pay them to work in the business, this can be deducted like any other employee expense. The advantage to the owner is they get to use before-tax dollars to pay the family member. When it comes out of the pocket and is not a paycheck, this money is after-tax money for the owner. This tax advantage can be significant when larger sums of money are involved. This is a very good way to get money in the hands of a son or daughter without paying taxes on it yourself.

Using the family franchise as a teaching tool

A franchise that has family in key spots is a terrific way to teach how to run a business. This is true from both positive aspects as well as negative aspects. The family franchise can teach in real time all elements of running a business. First and foremost it teaches how to deal with all types of customers. It teaches how to handle employees and supervisors. Details like tax decisions can be explained as to the consequences. Staying with a budget and handling suppliers can be brought home to the family member the owner is trying to educate. The importance of proper advertising using radio, TV or newspapers can be demonstrated in real life situations and not as a textbook case. All of the things an owner has to worry about when running a successful business can be shown to the family member in great detail. This real time learning experience can have a positive affect in the life of the family member. If they stay with the business, the decisions are likely to be better and if they go out on their own, they have a better idea what to do and what not to do.

Dealing with the day-to-day business decisions in real life is more likely to sink in than ideas read in a book. Being able to see the result brings home the correctness of the decision. If it works: why? And if it does not work: why? An analysis of the results can be illuminating to the trainee.

Turning over the business

Having a son or daughter in the business solves another problem that may come up in the future. Who will buy the business when the owner decides to sell? If the son or daughter likes the business and wants to continue it when the owner wants to retire, a natural progression is already in place. The son or daughter should be able to continue the success the owner enjoyed and not have to learn a new business. They already know what to do and how to do it. This built-in buyer helps in many ways such as long term planning and changes for growth.

Making the business more successful makes sense when the son or daughter will be the beneficiary. Keeping it in the family is a very real incentive for most owners.

Conclusions

A franchise run by the family has many advantageous and some negatives. The employee problem is not as confining if there is help from the family. Management can be a family contribution or it can be kept outside of the family and used only to teach the family members and run the company. Most franchises that have family working in them gravitate toward having family in positions of power and decision-making. It must be made clear that a family member who is put in charge is the boss and other members working for this boss must do as told. This person must be listened to just as any other boss would be listened too. The owner must make this point in order to prevent normal family in-fighting from occurring. Sibling jealousy and disrespect cannot be allowed to take place in the business. If it shows up it must be stopped. The business comes first and all family members must be willing to recognize this fact.

A family can run a franchise with great success if the head of the family lays down the rules at the beginning and makes sure they are followed. The advantages are many and the negatives can be handled when honestly confronted.

By: Bill Henthorn

About the Author:

Whether it is watching a movie as a family, playing a board game, or sitting quietly reading on your own, one of the most frequented rooms in the home is the family room. This room, more commonly referred to as the great room, is one of the rooms in the home that guests initially see, and it can form a lasting impression. With this in mind, family room decorating should mirror the homeowner’s lifestyle. It should also project a homey, comfortable, and livable image. After all, this is the room where everyone spends so much of their time day in and day out. So, why not make it the best room of the house with family room designs? With a combination of imagination, good taste, great family room furniture and accessories, any family room can be transformed into one that exudes style and warmth. Here are some tips on how family room decorating can create an inviting place and a welcoming impression on guests.

Reorganize the Furniture

Lifestyle or taste should determine the focal point of the family room designs. If there is a warm, cozy fireplace, why not rearrange furniture around it so everyone can enjoy it? Or if there’s a large media center and this is the focal point of the room, furniture could be set around that. Nothing like viewing the latest in DVD entertainment on a large screen TV while nestled in a plush sofa. When rearranging family room furniture, also consider the traffic of family members and guests going back and forth. Does the arrangement of the furniture allow free movement and flow? Does it give an uncluttered appearance? A great home decorating idea is to arrange furniture in off-square angles. This makes the room warmer and more casual. And instead of placing a large sofa directly against the wall, why not place it a foot or so away from the wall and add a neat accessory such as a lamp?

Color Matters

When considering family room decorating, it’s important to know that colors have psychological impact on people and their moods. When applied in the family room designs, remember colors can intimidate, invite, or irritate. If you’re looking for inexpensive home decorating ideas, the use of color is an inexpensive way of enhancing a room, because it only involves painting or wallpapering walls and placing a few coordinated accessories. The room should be warm and pleasing, and one of the warmest and most relaxing colors is blue. Blue offers several hues and it’s one of the most flexible colors around. Also coordinate carpets and walls to match.

Mirror, Mirror

Create space and depth by adding a mirror on any wall. The mirror should reflect something pleasing to the eyes. If there is a lot of wall space, add a small painting on either side of the mirror.

Add Smaller Furniture

To create a “lived-in” look, utilize small pieces of family room furniture. These can be a small bench or a low sofa table. Add magazines, journals, and newspapers under the table. Placing flower vases, baskets and small plants on a table also creates beauty and helps to liven up the room.

Lighting

Lamps can also accentuate the area. Second to color, light is a primary tool for creating a mood and setting the tone. Have fun and add unique lamps and other lighting to serve as conversation pieces.

Homeowners need only combine creativity and their own good taste to create a space for intimate and inviting family gatherings. By incorporating accessories and comfortable, yet stylish furniture, one can create a living area that is inviting, relaxing, and elegant — all at the same time!

By: Kim Stone

About the Author:

A reader asked about this situation: In my extended family, there is an immature and angry person. Actually, this person is not only hateful and argumentative, he has told blatant and dangerous lies about my family. Specifically, he claims that my husband did something inappropriate. No one in the family believes him, but I’m wondering how I should handle this, especially with the holidays coming. We have family events planned, but I don’t want to be around him, nor do I want my family around him. Is that unchristian? Do you have any advice?

You have every right to choose the people who can be around your family in a private situation in your own ?territory? (i.e. your home, your events, etc.).

However, you should not force your personal convictions about another family on OTHER family members outside your home. You have the ability to choose not to attend something at their house or any other house where the person might be present, but you should not tell other people who they can or cannot invite.

Also, you should not take it upon yourself, in my opinion, to inform other family why you have declined an invitation unless they specifically ask. Then, you should be a “non-gossipy” and uncritical as you can while still being honest. “We are choosing not to come because of the situation between us and [the other family member].?

Because of the seriousness of the accusation against your husband, it is important that if you do attend the family function, do not let anyone in your family be alone with that person. Don’t give credibility to the accusations. Without evidence or the collaboration of witnesses, it is just talk. Hurtful, but just talk.

As far as your attitude goes, it would only be unchristian if you were to withhold forgiveness. Otherwise, do what you are able to do for the sake of peace, keeping things from escalating, BUT always protecting your family.

Remember, as a Christian, your marriage and your kids come first.

Attend the family dinner. Go to the holiday party. In public, act like everything is fine. If the offending family member makes an effort to patch things up, reciprocate. However, I must warn you to be careful and discerning. People often use attempts at reconciliation as a ploy to start things up again.

DO NOT talk to others in your family about the family member in question. This is big temptation you need to stop, or avoid, whichever is the case. There is nothing good about getting everyone on “your side” or spreading around the “news” of this bad behavior under the guise of being “concerned”. That would be gossip, plain and simple.

Ultra-immature and childish members of the extended family can be quite maddening, but they don’t have to have power over you. YOU dictate the interaction with your family on YOUR turf, but you can only carefully manage the situation outside your own environment, like at this Thanksgiving event.

I want to say this again ? do not force your family members to side with you. People are smart and will be able to see the truth. Troublemakers and liars rarely have their family members fooled. It’s not fair for you to demand the other family members abide by your convictions. Therefore, your options are not to attend or to hold a gathering at your home without inviting the offending family member.

To boil it down, here is my advice ? if you choose to allow the family member to come to your home, make sure it is with the understanding that there must be no fighting. No angry outbursts will be allowed. If that occurs, he will be asked to leave. Remember not to allow your immediate family to be alone with him. Attend the other family events, but inform the hostess that if the offender creates a scene, you will immediately leave the party.

By: Brent Riggs

About the Author:

Old Family Traditions And The New Generation

Carried forward through the years by each new generation, old family traditions are a powerful means of strengthening the bonds that hold families together. Old family traditions often serve to connect the older generation with the new generation, encouraging interaction through shared activities, and can also offer a way for families separated by distance to feel close.

Many of the most meaningful old family traditions revolve around food, with families gathering to eat and celebrate together. Often the foods served at the meal are determined by tradition, with recipes passed down from generation to generation or specific family members preparing their specialties year after year.

That food should serve as a centerpiece for so many of the old family traditions that are passed to the new generation comes as no surprise. Food is essential to survival, and being grateful for the success of its production, whether through agriculture or the hunt, is at the base of not only many old family traditions, but also many of the world’s ancient religions.

Celebrating the abundance of the harvest is done throughout the world, with each culture giving rise to a particular set of old family traditions. However, as different as these cultures may be, the foundation of these celebrations is the gathering together of families to feast, to share food, to break bread.

There are many old family traditions designed specifically to celebrate the new generation. Some are as lighthearted and fun as the yearly birthday gathering for cake, ice cream and gifts. Others are built upon meaningful, often symbolic, rituals marking the milestones along the path to maturity. In each, it is the older generation celebrating the progress of the new generation, as one day that generation will do for its own children.

Even when families cannot gather together, which is increasingly common today as families find their members scattered throughout the nation and even the world, old family traditions can help to maintain family ties. Knowing that thousands of miles away, other family members are engaged in the same activities can help keep that feeling of closeness among family members.

Often the new generation uses old family traditions to honor those who have passed before them. Many children learn the history of their families in this way, listening as family members share memories of those who are no longer with them and of their own childhood remembrances. Sometimes it is the old family traditions that hold a family together, the adult siblings continuing to gather with their children after their parents have died.

Participating in the old family traditions builds memories that will last a lifetime, and serves to build relationships, not only between the old and new generations, but also amongst those that will be continuing the families as the elder members pass away. Teaching the new generation to honor old family traditions can help to preserve the family through the years, even through the times when its members cannot gather together, fostering a sense of belonging that will be a source of joy for years to come.

By: ABRAHAM

About the Author:

thinks that it will never happen to them. They will never be rushed to the hospital, nor will their family members need to be contacted in case of emergency.  Well, think again.  Even the healthiest family members can have an accident and need assistance. Here are some tips to help your friends and family take immediate action if your family is affected by a crisis.

 

Have a cell phone entry for "In Case of Emergency" or ICE.  Emergency medical personal will look for this first.  Program in more than one if you can.  You can call them ICE 1, ICE 2, and so on.  Also, carry a card in your wallet/purse with any medications that may cause you to have an allergic reaction.  Have the names and numbers of family members you would like to have contacted if you are unable to do so yourself. 

Have a phone sheet at your home or give it to family members in advance. This sheet should include anyone needed to care for your home or children, including their schools’ telephone numbers.  This will make it easier for anyone taking care of your kids and/or home to do so.

Keep a small travel kit ready for each family member.  If you are hospitalized your family members can bring this to the hospital for you.  If your children need to go stay with a family member, they will be ready to go quickly and easily.

If you are out running, playing tennis, etc, use a shoe or bracelet identification system.  This should include names and numbers of those you want to be contacted first.  Tell your family members you are putting their names on your identification. Road ID (www.roadid.com) offers a service that will also house your medical information.

Know your medical history.  If you are on medications, know their name and dose.  Go to the doctor regularly, and pay attention to key health numbers – Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.  Providing emergency personnel an idea of your “normal” levels and general health condition will help them determine what is wrong. 

Can’t remember your medications and health history?  Don’t worry! You can create yourself a mini cheat sheet on the computer.  Type it up, shrink the font, and tuck it in your wallet.  You can do the same for your kids too and put it in their backpacks.

Contact your kids’ schools about what the action steps they would take in case of emergency.  Also, make sure a family member (with proper identification) can pick up your children in case you are unable to. 

Talk to your family members.  Devise a plan about who would take care of children, who will be responsible for calling other family members, etc.  Having a plan in place will help a stressful situation go much more smoothly. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help!  If you need assistance, ask for it!  Family members, school teachers, and friends will all step up and help you in an emergency situation.  Don’t suffer because you are worried about taking up someone else’s time.

Make copies of your address book.  Many phone and handheld address books will allow you to make print-outs.  Having at least one other family member with a copy to make calls on your behalf if you are hospitalized. 

Resource Box:

Bonnie Joy Dewkett is a professional organizer, author, and motivational speaker.  Her company, The Joyful Organizer, creates and implements organizational systems for the home or office.  These changes allow her Customers to create calm from chaos at work and at home.  She is a member of The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), and The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).  Visit us on the Web at www.thejoyfulorganizer.com. 

By: Bonnie Joy Dewkett

About the Author:

Building Strong Family Relationships

 

Our society thrives on strong family relationships

Our family teaches us how to function in the world. It should provide love and warmth to all of its members. A strong family gives its members the support they need to make it through life’s toughest spots. 

To build strong family relationships, listen actively to each other.

Strong families have open lines of communications, when all family members feel heard and respected. One way to strengthen your family is to increase your listening skills and those of other family members. Until we can hear each other, we cannot build strong relationships

Focus on what the person is telling you, rather than thinking about your reaction or response to what is being said. (You will have time to respond later)

Give the person your full attention, drop whatever you’re doing and listen

Listen for how the other person is feeling and relay back to them what you think they were saying and how they are feeling. Example: “I hear you saying you don’t like you uncle. You look pretty upset. Did something happen between you?

Resist giving advice of your reaction until you are certain you have fully understood what the person was saying to you.

 

 

Encourage family members to share their thoughts and feelings.

 

Strong families allow all family members to talk about their thoughts and feelings, no matter the age of the member. Everyone should be expected to express themselves in appropriate ways. When people feel heard and respected, they feel better about themselves, are more open to solving problems, and are more likely to allow others to express themselves.

 

Keeping in touch with family members.

 

In the future, we will have many special purpose digital appliances which are embedded within our environment. Just as we now have a toaster in our kitchen, even though it is not a general cooking device, so we will have a range of digital devices which serve specific needs. The KIT (keep In Touch) project explores this broad direction in pervasive computing in relation to one core human need: keeping in touch with our closest family.

 

The initial version for KIT was to make it easy for grandparents and their grandchildren to easily keep in touch with each other, even if the grandparents are, beginning to suffer some cognitive loss and even when the grandchildren are young. There are no current technologies that work well for this task because small children are not typically allowed to use the phone without supervision and they cannot use email because they cannot read and, at the other extreme, elderly people may have difficulties with email. We also wanted to support spontaneity: so, for example, when a small child has an exciting experience or comes home excited about an achievement at school, we want them to be easily able to tell grandma. Equally, busy parents may often think about the grandparent but fail to find times when they can make phone calls. The challenges of keeping in touch are exacerbated when there are time zone differences, make it hard to work out times that are convenient to ring and chat.

 

The Keep-In-Touch system provides a messaging appliance that allows convenient voice messaging between family members. The touch screen version is intended to be in paces like the kitchen, family room or even in a small child’s bedroom. So, for example, a child can send a message to grandma very simply: they touch grandma’s picture and talk. Once finished the message, they touch “send”. When messages arrive at grandma’s house, they look like a small envelope on the child’s picture and grandma can simply touch this to hear the message. (Source: University of Sydney/School of information)

 

Six ways to keep in touch…

Telephone

E-mail

Postal letters

Greeting cards

Person face to face

Internet Messaging

 

 

Elephants have a special technique for keeping in touch; we will have a follow up article about this. 

I hope you have gotten something out of this article that interests you. 

See you soon!

I have set aside 2 free greeting cards and 2 stamps so you can test drive my system(no obligation) go to the link below and send yourself a card. Turn up your speakers and just follow the instructions. This system is fun to do. if you have any questions or concerns please contact me.

Howard Vanover

 423-591-0431 

lhv761@comcast.net

http://www.meetmybiz.org

 

 

By: Howard Vanover

About the Author:

Even with all the hottest computer know-how that permits us to keep in expedient contact with our far away family people, it’s however nice to visit them in person from time to time. If we could organize to get everybody together in one place, we could have a maximum family reunion. Even though getting time and place where all family members could meet takes cautious preparation in addition to patience and a thick skin, family retreats could be extremely wonderful! Here are some of the best ideas to keep in wits if you’d like to plan a family retreat:

To begin with, remember that just because you do someway organize getting the majority of your family together, family reunions don’t magically wipe away feelings or resentments, which were built up over time. That said family retreats and family reunions are a grand way to reconnect with relatives you might have lost touch with due to the environmental distance between you. It also gives associations such as cousins a chance to meet members of their family they might have never met.

The first step in setting up a family reunion is to make a list of all family members to invite. It’s a high-quality idea to have a group of family members assisting you plan the family reunion. Not only it would lessen the work for you, it might help cut down the risk of overlooking to invite family, which must have been invited! Another great idea when setting up family reunions is to email or phone relatives members casually about their thoughts for where holding the reunion and what months would work for them to attend. You could divide the list of names among your planning group and the replies would give you an improved idea of the “when” and “where” of the planned reunion.

Once you have decided place and date of the family reunion figured out, you could plan out the foodstuff, themes, streamers and other required activities. An inspirational approach with your family relatives on your planning group could be a lot of fun in addition of being helpful. The most excellent approach for family reunions is to keep all straightforward, particularly if children would be attending. Think of any easy buffet, which would permit for something for everybody and games and activities that are effortless enough for all ages.

By: Ron Victor

About the Author:

Throughout several decades now, people have tried out several ways of preserving their family history. Maintaining photo albums, photo collages are some of the ways of maintaining a family history. People generally maintain family history to make the future generations get acquainted with their roots and also to treasure their family members. A comparatively newer way of maintaining family history could be scrapbooking family history. We all do know about scrapbooking. In fact, remember our childhood times, when we had to maintain a scrapbook for our school. Exactly, scrapbooking is a method for preserving a legacy of written history in the form of photographs, printed media, and memorabilia contained in decorated albums, or scrapbooks.

Documenting your family history can be a long process that involves plenty of research. Instead of simply using that information to complete a family tree, consider scrapbooking family history for future generations so that they can come to know about their roots. This allows them to put faces with names of those who they never got a chance to meet. Scrapbooking family history involves making sure you have the right information available before starting. Make sure that you incorporate all the accurate details and information while you go in for scrapbooking family history. You would also not want to exclude any family members during your scrapbooking efforts; therefore, you will have to make sure that you have all the information about all the members of your family. To make the process easier you may want to use loose leaf pages when scrapbooking family history. This way if you discover a mistake or you need to add additional family members you can keep things in chronological order.

At times preserving old photographs become a little tedious as they have the tendency of getting worn out easily, you may find that scrapbooking family history offers a good method for protecting them from further damage or deterioration. Photos can be easily copied at copy centers just as long as they are not professional photos that are copyright protected. If the photos are very old, consider copying them in black and white for scrapbooking family history. This allows you to use a high quality photo while persevering the era of the photo.

Scrapbooking family history can make a wonderful birthday or anniversary gift for parents and grandparents. They will definitely treasure a sentimental gift. Scrapbooking family history may not seem important right now but in the future, it actually has the potential of being one of the most treasured possessions of every family, after all who does not love to remember their family members, especially if they are away from them. Family is the one support system that supports without expecting anything in return. We all make friends but it is our family that supports us without even asking us to do so. Therefore, we should make sure that we know our family members and make our future generations know about them. So just start collecting the materials and start off with scrapbooking family history.

By: John Foster

About the Author:

If you like to try different family vacation spots when you travel, you know that it’s important to choose the right destination if you want to have the perfect family vacation. Some just don’t lend themselves easily to family activities. They may be more tailored to suit couples or even older folks instead. So here are the top 3 choices for fun family vacations that almost everyone in the family will appreciate:

1. Family Dude Ranches – If dude ranches haven’t been on your list of fun family vacations it’s time that you gave them serious consideration as they are growing in popularity. Many dude ranches are specifically geared toward accommodating family members of all ages with programs that everyone can enjoy. Some of the activities include horseback riding, fishing, rafting, hiking, swimming and lots more. There are even luxury dude ranches that can also offer golf packages for the older family members and plenty of special amenities that make your stay more comfortable. Just because it has ranch in the name doesn’t mean that you have to rough it. Often these family dude ranches have evening activities like campfires, marshmallow roasts, sing alongs and so on that can keep your family entertained right up to bedtime.

If this sounds like a family vacation getaway that could appeal to your family just check online for dude ranch websites where you can look up ranches by state and find out all about their activities, amenities, and prices. If you use these resources to find out more about family dude ranches you will probably find the ranch that will make the perfect family vacation for you.

2. National Parks. If you really want to get away from the ordinary and experience the wonder and beauty that our country has to offer, consider taking your family camping at one of the national forests in the US. If you like adventure and the outdoors this is a great way to do something completely different, and have lots of swimming, hiking, boating, and other activities right at hand for very little out of pocket money.

3. If you want to choose a location that offers a wide range of activities and has gorgeous scenery at the same time, consider taking the family to Hawaii. There is an abundance of resorts that cater to families in Hawaii. Much of their travel economy is geared toward family fun adventures. Your kids can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, surfing, para-sailing, crafts, and lots more, while the adults can play on some of the best golf courses in the world. In the evening there is no shortage of dining opportunities including dinner cruises that sail up and down the coastline while you enjoy fabulous local cuisine.

Either of these three family vacation spots would make a great choice as a family vacation getaway. So why not start doing some homework to see if they could turn out to be the perfect family vacation for your next trip?

By: Jim Johnson

About the Author:

The Esogbue family is a large and popular family in Umuafene, Isieke in Ibusa Delta state, Nigeria. Umuafene means the children of “Afene”. Oral history claims that Afene was a woman; with Afene herself being a woman several people have questioned a situation whereby the clan answers to the name of a woman rather than that of her husband (the actual progenitor of the clan) whose name oral history states was “Ugbeh”. However, no one can tell for sure how and why this clan decided to adopt this name as this is still subject for historical research which about now is taking place.

The entire family of Esogbue is today under the single leadership of “Diokpa”. This “Diokpa” is the Head of the family and represents the family with the outside on all matters concerning the family. He may sometimes make decisions on behalf of the family but this usually follows an in-house meeting where the family members have taken decision and given the “Diokpa’ the authority to act on their behalf. Indeed, matters of the family and others regarding the family are first and foremost discussed within the family before such matter is moved to the “Ogbe” “Umuafene”, this is in case a conflict arises and any of the parties at dispute is not satisfied with the decisions reached by the family.

Meetings of the family are usually summoned by the “Diokpa” who informs other members of the family. He presides over this meeting. Everyone is allowed to air his opinion without any fear of intimidation and in the end decisions are reached but in the case of disagreement, the “Diokpa” takes the final decision which must be obeyed. He gives out any daughter of the family through legitimate marriages and must be duly informed though he just may delegate any one senior member of the family to take charge in his absence. He also plays important roles in the event of death of any member of the family. He is often referred to as “Diokpa Esogbue” (The Diokpa of Esogbue family)

Umuafene is a clan with several family units some of which are Okobi, Ashinze, Okafor, Ajudua, Okolie, Elueze, Ebedike, Abuah, Ogbogu, Ijeomah, Dike, etc. all of these and those not mentioned here form what is known as “Umuafene” and “Umuafene is one big family and an extension of “Isieke” the larger family unit which also has ancestral link to Umuekea one of the 10 quarters that makes up Ibusa.

The Ibusa town is just some few miles away from Asaba the state capital and the people speak Igbo but with dialectical difference from those of the Eastern Igbos across the Niger.

The name “Esogbue” when fully pronounced sounds “Onyesogbuziem” meaning “No one should trouble me”, “Let no one trouble me” or “People should stop troubling me”. Obviously the origin of this name is unknown, but etymologically the name may have been derived from the expression of one wishing not to be troubled. As we precisely know, names in African societies arise out of circumstances having to do with the experience of such families. Names in Africa thus express the feelings, fears and thought of African families.

The name “Esogbue” originated as a family name but in recent times the name is fast becoming a personal name as it is now being christened on individuals. It is therefore not surprising to hear people from the town answer the name as a first or other name.

Like most other African societies, The Esogbue family lacks documentation on the history of the family name. There is therefore no recorded evidence one can rely on to fully study historical circumstances leading to choice of the name by the family

The family members are free-born of Ibusa and no traces of “Osu” (slavery) can be linked to them. Although the town itself cannot be strongly linked with the “Osu caste system” which is popular among the Eastern Igbos”, the history of the town, Ibusa shows that at no time has any member of this family been involved in what the town may regard as “Alu” (what is forbidden) No one member of this family has ever been ex-communicated or exiled in the entire history of the family.

The whole members of this family today express faith in Christianity though evidences suggest that the ancestral fathers of the family may have practiced African traditional religion as it is a common practice in African societies.

The members of this family have continued to distinguish themselves in their various chosen professions.

By: Emeka Esogbue

About the Author: