Such a little thing as a piece of paper can hold an immense amount of sentimental significance and honor to my family. This object has originated from my great-grandfather who has continually passed down this object from generations. Moreover, this icon portrays an emblematical symbol of my family name and the bond that is established between us. My great-grandfather was born in 1908 in a small town called Calabara in Naples, Italy. Besides, he was one of eight siblings and at the age of five his family decided to relocate to America for a better life. They came to find economic opportunities to support their family for a more advantageous way of life, considering Calabra is a relatively unfavorable area, and still is today. My family is courageous to have dropped almost everything to migrate so far with so little to obtain a more suitable lifestyle for their ten person family. Despite this, after migrating to New York City, it was almost an immediate repercussion that my great-grandfather’s family found the economic benefit they were searching for, while containing their faithful relationship with one another. Furthermore, this family symbol has been passed down for generations and embodies my passionate family relationship that I hope to be present in the future generations of Perri’s to come. Nonetheless,  this object connects to my Italian identity and culture in which evokes how my family comes together in times to share our culture of being a close knit bonded family.

– Hallie Perri

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