My great great grandfather immigrated here with his son (my great grandfather) from Ireland during the infamous potato famine that sent so many people out of the country in hopes of a better life. When he arrived here, he had no family or friends other than his son. He did not know what to do for work, but he knew he had to make money to support his son and keep them in this new country. He had brought his shoe-shining kit along with him, so he decided to take to the busy city streets in hopes that there would be businessmen looking to see their reflection in the toes of their shoes, for the small price of 10 cents a shine. He worked other odd jobs as well, as he was a very hard worker, but the most prominent job that my family knows the story of, was shining shoes. My great grandfather carried on the tradition as a child and into his young adult years, and eventually passed the kit down to his son. This story taught my brother and I an important lesson in work ethic that we carry with us today. We still have his shoe shining kit on display in our basement as a reminder of our family's humble beginnings in this country.

– JC

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