My family object is a blackthorn stick. Another name for the blackthorn stick is shillelagh and it’s pronounced shi-lay-lee. A shillelagh is made from the branch of a blackthorn tree that grows in Ireland. The shillelagh was used as a cane, and it was also used as a weapon. They are passed down to the men of the families. 
My dad has a shillelagh hanging over the kitchin entrance. It has been my family for 5 generations, and it is older than both my parents. It’s long and is in the shape of a cane and has thorns all over it. Since it’s so old it’s very easy to break now, but it used to be very strong. 
My great great grandfather William Hegarty brought it here from Ireland on a ship in 1915. Also Hegarty was misspelled when we came to America so now it’s spelled Haggerty. Most people didn’t bring a lot of stuff and neither did he, but he brought the blackthorn stick because it meant a lot to him. It’s cool that my ancestor touched that and now I can touch it. 

– SH

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant