My story comes from an old grain measuring cup from Sweden. The city is unknown, as well as who made the grain box. It was made in 1863 and has a state crown verification stamp of approval from the Swedish Monarchy in 1863 who, at that time, was King Charles XV. The measurement on the cup reads 10 KT (10 kannor), which is approximately 26.17 liters. It is my mom’s and has been passed down through generations from her great-grandfather, to her grandfather, who was born around the 1890’s, to her mother until finally reaching her. Even through moving from Sweden to Mexico and later to the States, keeping it and allowing it to travel with her throughout her life shows the impact that an artifact can have on a person's family lineage. It shows that even though it has no use in the US and even in modern-day Sweden, keeping it allows my mom to appreciate her ancestors and to tell a story about her childhood and family members. Appreciating these heirlooms can allow for a closer connection to a culture that some may not have known before the heirloom. These heirlooms can also allow for a feeling of acceptance when feeling like you aren’t different or don’t belong to your culture. My story can connect to themes of immigration, as my mom immigrated from Sweden and my dad from Mexico to the US in search of job opportunities and to start a family. Overall, a feeling of acceptance, belonging, and what it means to be an American can stem from our cultures that may not have been noticed until now.

– JV

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant