The forces creating a writer’s life and work are myriad and not always obvious. In Elizabeth Bishop’s case, some of these forces existed before she was born: ancestors and historical events affected and influenced her throughout her entire life. Bishop’s parents, especially her mother, and her maternal family are vital elements in her development, as was the place where she spent key years of her childhood: Great Village, Nova Scotia, Canada. This chapter explores aspects of Bishop’s childhood in Great Village and with her maternal family, revealing some of their many impacts.