Today in America we celebrate Independence Day. It is a good day. It is a day that makes me reflect on my immigrant ancestors. I wonder what they felt when they celebrated their first 4th of July. Was it momentous to them? Were they proud to live in America? Were they happy they made the sacrifices they did to come over?

My family history’s immigration stories happened around the 1850’s/1860’s for the majority of the branches. There is one branch (looking at you Dunlap line) that I don’t have that date as of yet. [Isn’t there always that one line??]

They came over to escape hardship. They came over to escape conscription. They came over as single men/women. They came over as families with young children in tow. They came over mostly from Germany and Ireland. They were all seeking something more.

I hope that America exceeded their expectations. I hope their road to and within the U.S. was paved with easy choices and few turmoils but we all know that is never the case. They struggled. They persevered. Most of all, they stayed and didn’t give up.

Perhaps they didn’t have any other choice.

I have a shirt that reads “I am my Ancestors’ Wildest Dream.” I truly believe each and every one of us is just that. When you look at your roots and where your family began and then look to how your life is now, it is pretty amazing. And just like them, we have troubles, we have hard choices but also like them, we do not give up.

Happy Independence Day! May you never forget where you came from and where you are going.

Be Your Ancestors’ Wildest Dream.

**Where did your immigrant ancestors come from? How long has America been home for the branches of your family tree?**