"My mother's background was Scottish. She came from an old family, some of whom lived in upper New York State and some of whom had come over from Scotland"

In this quote, author Alan Hovhaness is discussing his mom's heritage and background. He exposes that she was of Scottish descent, originating from a long line of forefathers who belonged to an "old household." Some of her relatives lived in upper New York State, while others had actually immigrated from Scotland to the United States. This recommends that Hovhaness' mom had a strong connection to her Scottish roots which her household had a significant presence in both Scotland and America. This quote highlights the value of origins and how it can shape one's identity and cultural background.