My artifact is a pair of white porcelain salt and pepper shakers in the shape of, admittedly misshapen, feet. These have been lovingly called “the feet” by my mom’s side of the family. (We are oh so creative!) These date back to the mid-1900s. (no one seems to remember exactly when) My Grandma, Lulu Edwards (my great-great-grandma) and Auntie Jane Edwards (My great-great-aunt and Grandma Edwards’ daughter) went shopping in a little trinket shop. Jane remarked on how horrible they were and Grandma Edwards later went back and bought them for her. They have since been passed down from the Edwards and eventually, the Lairds. The feet are gifted to people by the former owners whenever they hit a milestone in their lives like high school and college graduations, 50th anniversaries, births, and weddings. The current owner is my cousin Allie Williams after she graduated college earlier this year. They symbolize keeping memories and passing them down through the feet and the scrapbook that comes with them, with pictures of most of the recipients since my Great Aunt and Uncle Betsy and Chuck got them for getting married in 1986.

– Chloe Jen

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