The parents of Lovina Bergey McDonald, Elias Bergey and Salome (Bear) Bergey were Mennonites.

Elias Bergey, son of Isaac and Susan (Kile) Bergey, was born on January 23, 1811 in Franconia Twp, Pennsylvania. In 1832, he moved to Canada and settled in Bergeytown, later called Hespeler, Ontario. His occupation was that of a shoemaker. He died in Hespeler on November 17, 1893.

Salome Bear was born in Hespeler on January 12, 1814. She was the daughter of Martin and Catherine (Gingerich) Bear, both originally from York County, Pennsylvania. She and Elias were married in Preston, Waterloo County, Ontario, in 1832. Salome was also known as Sarah, and is buried as Sarah Bergey in the New Hope Cemetery in Hespeler. She died on February 12, 1896.

Children of Elias and Salome (Bear) Bergey:

• Rachel, who m. Adolph Schmidt.
• Rev. William, who m. 1st Hannah Witmer, and 2nd Mary Amacher.
• Lovina, who m. Angus McDonald.
• Anna, who m. David Croft.
• Isaac, who m. Harriet Madrick.