Bible

My great-grandparents on my father’s side came to America from Sweden in 1894. They brought few possessions; this Bible was one of them. They were religious people, something that wasn’t passed down to me — or perhaps my parents attempted to pass it down, and I rejected it. Though I feel little connection to my ancestors, and an even smaller connection to religion, reading the names inscribed in this Bible gives me an odd sensation — as if this makes my family history more a part of me than I thought it was. 
The writing is in Swedish, which I cannot read nor speak; I have never been to Sweden, nor did I ever meet my Swedish grandfather. Thus, my immigrant roots have always been blurred; I’ve always known they were there, but never knew much about them. This Bible will certainly answer few — if any — of my questions. But the names of my ancestors inscribed in the pages, along with their birthdays, at least reinforces the fact that I do come from somewhere, that somewhere in my family history is a story to be told.

Place(s): sweden, new york
Year: 1894

– Leigh

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