A drawing found in a stack of papers and photos sparked a conversation with my Mom about her side of the family.  We never knew that much about them, both grabdparents had passed before my birth. My grandmother was said to have been a very bitter woman, with equally as grumpy kin. My grandfather was said to have been kind, warm, and loving, but he passed when my Mom was only about 12, leaving her to be raised by much older siblings and an unhappy woman.  So we didn't ask too many questions, seeing as how it caused her pain.  But then this drawing was uncovered and the questions started flowing. As part of America 250, my older sister has been researching our family tree and has found out interesting information. This could be our Great-Grandfather, the one who had worked at a lighthouse on Lake Michigan but was fired during WWII as he was of German descent.  His father was said to have owned a stable, and had moved to the Midwest from Canada after emigrating from Germany.  My maternal Grandmother had Polish ancestry.  But that history has been lost, or locked away. I hope we can learn their stories, too.

– Julie Duncan

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