Elisabeth Jane Vera

Elisabeth “Lisa” Jane Vera (Sedeño/Peña) was born on August 17, 1960, in Ventura, California. Named “Girl of the Year” at the Girls Club of Oxnard where she was president of the drill team. She was an awesome cook and enjoyed arts and crafts with her crocheting, home made decorations and piñatas.

She loved listening to music all the time, and enjoyed collecting vinyl records and cassette tapes of her favorite artists. She was an amazing dancer and easily turned heads on the dance floor.

Elisabeth married Salvador Villaseñor Jr. in Ventura, California, on September 15, 1979 and had two children together. They divorced after many years of separation on May 14, 1990.

Shortly after she married Louis Enrique Colon in Ventura, California, on December 21, 1991, when she was 31 years old.

Elisabeth Jane Vera passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 1995, in Oxnard, California, at the young age of 34 years old. She resided in her hometown of Oxnard, California her entire life.

Switched at Birth

On August 17, 1960 our beloved Elisabeth Jane Vera and a wonderful woman named Violet Marquez were switched at birth as newborn babies born minutes apart at a local Ventura County hospital. We aren’t sure how this happened, but we are working on finding answers. There is so much outstanding information and we are still trying to figure it all out.

How did we get here? DNA tests confirmed by multiple parties. Of course it’s complicated, and we each have our own personal story to tell of what led us to this discovery.

This is obviously shocking to all families involved. It has been and continues to be a roller-coaster of emotions for everyone affected. Please keep our families in your prayers. More to come…

The search for answers on the baby swap of our Mother Elisabeth Vera with Violet Marquez has blessed us with the opportunity to meet new family.

Martha Medina & Joe Vera (Parents)

Thanks to Ancestry DNA, we were able to confirm Martha Medina and Joe Vera are the biological Mother and Father of Violet Marquez.

Martha was born in El Paso, Texas and came to Oxnard at the young age of 14. Her parents were Ignacio Medina and Josephine Mesa. Martha grew up in Oxnard working the fields where she met Joe Vera. They married soon after at a young age.

Joe was born in Ventura, California and raised in Oxnard where he worked at the sugar beet factory. His parents were Alberto Vera and Tiofila Covarrubias.

Martha and Joe raised 8 children: Gloria, Irene, Yolanda, Joey, Mary Ann, Elisabeth, Laura and Sonia along with many grandchildren.

In 1960, their hard work paid off as they proudly purchased a home on Alpine Street in Rose Park, Oxnard, California. The Vera family loved their campfires at the beach roasting hot dogs and marshmallows as well as eating at their favorite restaurants Golden Chicken Inn and Buddy Burgers.

Martha and Joe Vera now rest at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard along with their daughter Elisabeth.

Ramona Peña (Biological Mother)

Thanks to Ancestry DNA & 23andMe, we were able to confirm our biological grandmother is Ramona Peña.

The oldest of 8 children, she was born at Ventura General Hospital and grew up in Somis, the Limoneria and in La Colonia, Oxnard, California. Her Father was Librado “Lee” Peña and her mother was Soledad “Chole” Savala.

Our Great-Grandma Chole unfortunately passed away early at the age of 46. Nana Ramona raised her 2 youngest siblings along with her 4 children Michael (RIP), Violet, Jesus (RIP) and Rita, as well as many other family and friends throughout the years.

To support them she worked at several places including the Limoneria, Ortega Chilerias, Cielito Lindo, Ernie’s (Ernie Figueroa), an insurance agency and as an interpreter for local attorneys. She frequented The Old Mexico on A Street next to Pat Holdens. In 1972, her hard work paid off as she proudly purchased a home in Oxnard, California all on her own.

Ramona is now retired enjoying spending her days with family, friends, and crocheting blankets for her loved ones.

José Francisco Sedeño (Biological Father)

Thanks to Ancestry DNA & 23andMe, we have confirmed our biological grandfather is José Francisco Sedeño.

One of 7 children, he was born and raised in Delano, California. His Father was Aristeo Sedeño and his mother was Teresa Saldaña. Frank was a United States Air Force Veteran who worked as an Air Force Policeman stationed in Greenland and Merced, CA.

He raised 7 children: Adrian, Donald, Ronald, Francine, Stephanie, Franky (RIP), Paco and 4 step-children Dalia, Danise, Daniel and Damian. He was also a certified auto mechanic and owned his own gas station off of C Street and Hill Street in Oxnard, California. Later, he became a certified alcohol and drug counselor with Khepera, Interface and the County of Ventura.

Papa Frank was a music aficionado and self taught trumpet player. An avid reader who loved his books, newspapers, documentaries and always kept up on current events. He was a huge fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco 49ers and of Tennis (especially Venus and Serena Williams).

He loved to travel and was known for driving around in his ’56 Chevy Nomad with the custom “SEDENO” license plate. He was always helping out anyone having roadside car troubles.

Papa Frank unfortunately passed away in July 2020 before learning of our discovery. He now rests near his daughter, our Mother Elisabeth, his son Franky and his Father Aristeo at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard, California.

Thank you for everyone’s thoughts, prayers and support while our search for how this happened continues.