129-year-old heirloom celebrates family, culture and faith

LOS ANGELES -- Baptism is the first sacred sacrament, a welcome into the Christian faith.

Baby Nicole Katherine Garcia is Nicaraguan, Guatemalan, German, Swedish, and American. Her roots go far and in many directions, just like the 129-year-old family heirloom she wears to celebrate this holy day of her christening.

"My great-great-grandma probably never even imagined it would go on for this long, and that I would transition from so many different families and cultures. Just recently my grand-baby is the 118th baby baptized in the gown. And now there are 5 generations that have been baptized in the same gown," said Kathy Garcia, whose great-grandmother made the baptismal gown.

The special gown has been worn for five generations. Carol Steinstra of Seal Beach wore the ensemble in 1955.. Her grandmother Myrtle, in 1894.

"The gown has been used in Catholic parishes, it's been used in Presbyterian, Baptist," said Carol Stienstra, whose great-grandmother is the original seamstress of the baptismal gown. "It becomes such a conversation piece that can help us lead into what it means to have family that stays that close. Maybe this will peak an interest for other people to look into their heritage."

"I have that Norwegian Swedish background and the rest of my family is very Hispanic. My husband is Nicaraguan, my son is married and her family's Guatemalan. So, my grandchildren have a very rich ethnic mix in their DNA," said Garcia.

USA blend of immigrant families.

Nicholas Garcia, who is the great-great grandson of dress maker, says he is honored to baptize his daughter in it.

"To incorporate our faith with tradition within the family I think it's something extra special," said Nickolas.

A rich family album of Dahl descendants, spanning the Depression; the Wonder Years and now the pandemic. The gown with their faith enduring through all.