My mother's ancestors emigrated from County Cork, Ireland in the year 1869. Shipping and passage documents indicate that my great-great grandmother and her 6 children made the voyage from Ireland, approximately two decades after the potato famine had severely diminished the Irish population. While we know that my great-great grandfather made it to the U.S., the lack of documentation hints that he may have stowed away aboard the ship or snuck into the country, possibly illegally. After arriving in Boston, my great-great grandparents ended up settling just north of the city in the town of Somerville. Seventy-five years and two generations later, my grandfather was aboard a ship headed back towards Europe to join in the fight against the Nazis of World War II. Although being shot twice, he endured and stayed until the fight was over and they had reached Berlin. He eventually made his way home at the end of the war, got married and became a father to 6 children. Another two generations later, here I sit, enjoying the fruits derived by way of the tremendous sacrifices made by my ancestors. Never underestimate the power of your family's story and its contribution to this great nation, even if you are the first generation. We all have our part to play in this great experiment called, America.   

– JB

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