Where We Come From
Our Story
Six generations of choice, resilience, and love — traced from West Africa to the brickyards of Elgin, and to every Collins alive today.
"They did not stop being themselves."
Our story begins in Africa — with the Yoruba of Nigeria, the Fon of Dahomey, the Bamana of Mali. Through the Middle Passage and slavery, our ancestors kept their humanity, their faith, and their bonds intact.
At emancipation they made a choice: they moved, they chose Texas, they chose Elgin. They worked the brick belt that built the University of Texas and the State Capitol. They worshiped at Lakeview Baptist. They raised nine children who became hundreds.
Read the full genealogy →This origin story is drawn from the research and DNA results of one family member — Maurice Collins (b. 1982). The West African lineages named above reflect his line’s findings; another branch of the family may trace to different peoples and places. It’s offered as a starting point, not the last word — and every branch is invited to add its own.