My family heirloom is my Nonno’s (grandfather) cross and chain. My Nonno was born in Palermo, Italy, which is in Sicily.  He grew up in a very Catholic family. His entire family went to church everyday. His father, my great grandfather, was in construction and built many churches throughout Italy.  When my Nonno was young his father gave him his cross and chain. He told me he wore his cross everyday since he was a young boy.  He was very close with my great grandfather and told me wearing his cross and chain has always reminded him of his father. When he was 21 years old he came to America, and wore his cross everyday even if nobody liked it, and when he was in America by himself he would hold his cross thinking about his father and family just to make them feel like they were with him. Shortly after, his family came later to America because you can’t break an Italian family away from each other. I'm very close with my Nonno.  Recently, when I was talking with my Nonno he spoke to me about his cross and chain and how important it is to him and that he wanted me to have it, so it would always remind me of him like he had with his father. I now have his cross and chain and wear it everyday. It’s very important to me and makes me think about my Nonno, just like my Nonno thought about his father. I love wearing his cross. 

– L.L.

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant