Nancy Hersey is a direct descendant of three significant pioneer families of the Oak Lodge area – the Starkweathers, Risleys and Gordons. Nancy is a daughter of the local educator, realtor, and historian Harvey G. Starkweather, a granddaughter of the Oregon Territorial Legislator and one time Oregon State Senator William A. Starkweather, and a granddaughter of local pioneer Hugh Gordon. In her 2011 interview with the Oak Lodge History Detectives Nancy talks about her family heritage and her life living in Oak Lodge.