My object is a painting that has been in my family for many years. This particular painting was painted by Mary Jane Kast, who is my father’s great aunt. The painting itself is a rectangle canvas brushed meticulously with oil paint. It shows a simple house that sits between old fence posts and a small barn for animals. This painting was created as a gift for my great grandfather Clemens Jenschke, a 2nd generation American, who grew up in this house. After his passing, the painting was given to my grandparents who have it hanging on the kitchen wall. My ancestors from my father’s side were German immigrants who made a decision to chase the American Dream in 1859. Hugo Jenschke, my great great grandfather and Clemens’ father, was a farmer that felt the promise of plentiful land and easier cost of living conditions were worth the trip across the Atlantic (Jenschke, 2025). As first generation Americans Hugo and his wife Margaretha along with their 13 children made sacrifices that established a strong foundation for an immigrant family to grow and prosper in a new world. While taking a picture of this homestead on a camera would’ve been much easier 40 years ago, the painting is more sentimental and refined by the use of oil paint and a canvas. Although some would view this painting as boring, it effectively illustrates my family’s heritage and outlines my personal favorite success story.

– Baine Jenschke

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more