American-ish
- Nora Walsh Kerr
- Jul 1
- 1 min read
It's the heart of summer and here in the U.S., we celebrate our nation's birthday on the 4th of July. Political feelings aside, I have really come to love everything about this holiday--from the carefree nature of summer, to BBQ'ing with friends and family, watching a hometown parade, and culminating the day with beautiful fireworks. To me, it represents the perfect summer day and makes me proud to be American. 🇺🇸
But for most of us, our heritage is not simply American. The roots of a typical American family tree spans oceans, languages, and traditions--all worth documenting and celebrating. Both sides of my family came from Ireland and I grew up with bits of that culture woven into our family traditions, from the St. Brigid's Cross that hung on our walls, to our Catholic faith, to a respect for Irish music and dance, coupled with fondness for drink and a boiled vegetable. We were American, but also a wee bit Irish. 🇮🇪
We all have unique origin stories, and whether you're a first-generation American or have family that have settled here for centuries, stories about what you celebrate and how you do it are always worth saving. Here are some questions to pull out good stories about heritage and cultural traditions, perfect for a summer BBQ!
Where did your family originate from and when did they emigrate?
Who sponsored those first family members?
What traces of those international roots exist in your family today?
What does it mean to you and your family to be an American?
