From as far back as I can remember, my grandmother always wore many gold bracelets, earrings, and rings almost every day of the week. She loves jewelry and always dresses to the nines for family occasions. As her granddaughter, I have been the fortunate recipient of many beautiful pieces of jewelry over the years, but one of the most unique and meaningful pieces she has given me is a diamond tie clip that she converted into a ring. The tie clip was given to her by her grandfather, Frances Valentine (born on February 14), who was a child of Irish immigrants. Frances worked as an engineer at Thomas Edison's General Electric Company in Menlo Park, NJ in the late 1800s. He married Josephine, whose family came to America from Spain, and they raised a family in Queens. The ring not only symbolizes Frances's success as a first-generation American, but it is more meaningful to me because of its connection to my grandmother, a woman who has played such an important role in my life.

– Erika B.

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