I received a letter just before I left office from a man. I don’t know why he chose to write it, but I’m glad he did. He wrote that you can go to live in France, but you can’t become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Italy, but you can’t become a German, an Italian. He went through Turkey, Greece, Japan and other countries. But he said anyone, from any corner of the world, can come to live in the United States and become an American.
– Ronald Reagan
4th of July is such an important day for Americans. It is a celebration of the sacrifices that Americans have made to make our country what it is. Now, I’m not saying that there aren’t things that need to be fixed, but I am extremely proud to be an American. Over the last four or five years, I have been interested in my genealogy and which countries my ancestors immigrated from during the huge immigration wave in the early 20th century. I had been told that I am of French Canadian, Italian and Irish decent, but there has always been some confusion about my father’s paternal grandparents. I kept searching the Ellis Island database to no avail when about four years ago my father learned that my great grandfather’s original last name was Schneiderowitz (thank goodness someone had the sense to Americanize that one!). Mystery solved. He was Russian, and my great grandmother was Lithuanian. They came to this country with two children and $21 according to the ship manifest. Excited about this discovery, I tried to trace the entry point of my father’s maternal grandfather. Nothing was found until two days ago when we discovered that my great grandfather came over as Cerone, and at some point, changed the spelling of his last name to Cirone. He was born 121 years ago today in Italy and came to America at 24 with his 19 year old wife.
Now, I can’t even imagine having the courage that my ancestors did to leave the only life that they knew to come start a new life in a completely strange land with basically nothing. It gives me goose bumps to think of what it must have been like to finally make it to New York and pass by the Statue of Liberty and know that you have landed in your new home. I am not done with my research. There are still many unanswered questions, and they may stay unanswered but I have been enjoying the discovery of the people that have made me who I am.
This is another shot of my grandmother’s and mother’s wedding dress. I felt that the history of this garment represented my heritage well today.
Wow! Fantastic story and tribute! I also am very proud! Great job on your research! I hope it continues to bring you more answers! Happy Fourth of July, E.gad!!!!!!
Touching story of your ancestry... My great grandparents were also Lithuanian and had my mom soon after arriving in America. You make me want to find out more!
Beautiful close-up. Did you use your macro filter for this? And, wonderful backstory. I've done some family research, so I know how rewarding it can be when you find out bits of information from your family's history. :o)
July 13th, 2011
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
