It has been a tradition in every generation of my family to pass down a rosary from the Vatican in Rome.  This tradition began when my great grandfather came from Ireland to New York City in the early 1900s.  As a potato farmer the reason for leaving Ireland was to escape famine, disease, and to find a safe environment to start a family.  The rosary also allowed my father to escape the many challenges Irish immigrants faced in New York City when he arrived such as hardship and prejudice.  My great grandfather purchased his first rosary from the Vatican in Rome during his young adult years just before embarking on his journey to the United States.  

– Michael Costigan

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