How American are we?

Nanci's post made me start thinking.  Yep--I do think every once in a while. Her husband's family imigrated to the US in the last couple generations.  My great-grandmother was German.  She imigrated to the US and by her own choice never learned to speak English.  As a young child I could communicate with her as I (at that time) could speak German.   After her death when I was 5 I had no reason to speak the language and now only remember key words.  My maiden name was Americanized (I assume for easier pronunciation) from the German version Ernst. How many others on the board have families that immigrated to the US?

Gwen I am so glad you brought this up.  I too was just thinking about this subject.  Part of my family came from Spain (Tito Rivera) and the other part from Mexico (Gonzales) !  My Mommas Great Grandma and Grandpa arrived here several years back.  I guess thats why I love my Mexican hubby and the Spanish language so much!  Everyone that hears me speak Spanish thinks that I am Hispanic of some sort, especially when I don't highlight my hair. I know my Grandma on my dads side was part Cherokee Indiana and Grandpa is Irish.  Boy oh boy did my Grandma prove to be a Cherokee with her temper...LOL! My 1st step-mom, whom I thought was my real mom,Miquela (aka Mickey) was 100% Cherokee.  And she too was an abvious Indian.  The young boy that was recently on American Idol was her Nieces Son. He was the one from N.M.!   You can check out more info on my G-G-G-Grandpa at:  http://www.library.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us/oldbayview/rivera tp.htm Click on his name for more interesting facts.  He was some what famous back in the day!

My great grandparents on Daddy's side immigrated here Literally on the boat My great graddaddy took my great grandmothers maiden name Taylor as his own so He could get on board and come with her they married on board. They were Irish My last name would have been Hayes or so we think that is as far back as we could go. My grandmw Taylor was Dutch and looked the part acted as well. My Gradmaw and GradPaw Trotter this is what we know about them. My Grandpaws family came from Scotland My grand maw was a Wood she came from the peidmont region Her Mom was a medicine women on the Trail of Tears and meet my Great Grandpaw Wood and married him.. My great grand maw was Cherokee not pronounced like we say it and Boy did I ever get in trouble if I missed pronouced it.. That is what I know about my ancestory pretty interesting isn't it. Donna

I have a VERY strong side of IRISH on my natural father's side - name is Cahalan.  This is the reason for my fair-complexion, once naturally very blonde hair, etc.  (now mostly gray! ) My mother's side has a mix of German and English.  We once thought we had American Native, but my Grandfather did our geneology for years prior to his passing, and 0% showed up.  German is pretty strong too...My mother's side has been here in the AL area for awhile, initially settling in the Carolinas then into Paint Rock Valley before moving into Madison County...Harvest, Monrovia.  My Grandfather published a book of stories of family "stories" of things family members told him when he interviewed old timers when he did his geneology.  It is pretty hilarious some of the stories that were told.

I started teaching Sydney about world history this past few weeks. Does anyone remember those "SchoolHouse Rocks" videos they played on Saturday morning? We have them on DVD and I like to play the one, "The American Melting Pot." It puts the whole immigration understanding in a great perspective for younger ones (and me too!)   My DH's family all came through the Port of New Orleans. His GM's side of the family dropped the consenants off their name to "Americanize" themselves. I'm proud to say, like most of their generation, when WW2 came around, his grandfather proudly wore the US Army uniform into battle. My biological family were all from England and Scotland. My maternal GX6(?) grandfather was an Indian named William Weatherford aka "Red Eagle" from the Creek Nation here in Alabama. He actually battled Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.  My paternal family was from England but there is definately some Choctaw lineage. Most of us have the high cheek bones and olive complexion associated with Indian blood. I think that is what makes America so special.  In many ways, this OH board is the same way. We all bring different stories and experiences to this board but it is held by a common thread of understanding, love, acceptance, and support. Love ya'll, Nanci 

My husbands family were of German descent. Here it's Mapes there it's von Mapes. My maiden name was Bickerstaff, can't get much more German than that. My Mothers people were of Irish stock. King and Nash. There is a lot of Indian on my fathers side also.  I'm just a noodle in the old melting pot. Love, Miss Mary