My own mother has been working for a while on her and my father’s family trees. Even after all her work, I was able to pin down some information that was a mystery her whole life. I am a mystery solver.
I like to call myself a European Mutt: German, Irish, sprinkle in some Swiss and French and here I am. I think when I fill out demographic information from now on I will mark other, and write in European American. Why does finding this information make us feel special?
I know some people who trace all their ancestors back to one country, usually Ireland. I find it irritating that they then use that an excuse to get drunk and fight. Sorry fellas…..THE QUIET MAN is not a role model.
German ancestry as an excuse to get drunk and fight.
Swiss ancestry as an excuse to get drunk and …..ski?
I am seeing a pattern here. The truth is most of us are not Irish Americans, German Americans, or European Americans…we are Americans. The customs our ancestors brought with them from “the old country” have been adapted and merged so that they are nearly unrecognizable. And that’s okay. I am okay with who I am.
1 comment:
GREAT POST! I agree completly. I am an American, my children are Americans and all of my friends, say one (born in Canada but now American), are Americans. I like the people who say "I am an (African Irish, Italian, Asian) American" and yet they have never been to "x country", thier parents have never been to "x country", they cannot even tell you the last ancester of theirs who has been to "x country". Do you have a duel citizanship? No, then YOU ARE AMERICAN! Be proud of that (disregard last weeks budget issue that was embarrassing). Another well written post. Keep them coming.
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