My family comes from Northeast England. They lived in a town called Houghton-le-Spring. My great great grandfather was a miner, and he lost his job when the coal mining plant he worked at was shut down. The owner closed the plant because the workers were demanding higher wages and safer working conditions. He couldn’t provide for his family, so he brought them to America. My great great grandparents and their two daughters traveled to the states in 1928. They resettled in Northern New York State, but they kept strong ties with our relatives in England. The British passport that they traveled here with has been passed down so that we can know our family history. It is amazing to look through it and see pictures of our relatives and it’s so special to know their story.

– Courtney Bowen

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