My Family History Story by Colin Pritchard

How and why did your family come to the United States?

10238842 — 2024-05-09 18:04:23 UTC

My great great grandfather cam to the U.S from Italy to make a better life for his family. When he arrived, he found work in Carthage NY where he owned a bar. He finally made enough money to go back to Italy and bring my great great grandmother, 2 great great uncles, and a great aunt. They ended up having lots of children and passing down stories from generation to generation until it got to me. On the Irish side, all I really know is that they came because of the great potato famine. They ended up owning a grocery store and making pretty good money. On my Canadian side, they just came through Canada and already had some decent money.

What were the obstacles that they met?

10238842 — 2024-05-09 18:04:35 UTC

Some of the obstacles that they met were being Italian. Being Italian in the US was almost a bad thing, because they didn't know any english. Since they couldn't speak english, it was hard for them to get jobs and make money. My grandmother says that she remembers her father telling her stories of begging on the street for money or food.

What was going on historically in the U.S. during this time and did it affect your family?

10238842 — 2024-05-09 18:05:25 UTC

When my ancestors from Ireland came to the US, they were in the middle of the Great Potato Famine. That is the main reason why they came to the US, and to search for a better life in a new country.

30 Second Family Video

10238842 — 2024-05-09 18:05:38 UTC

Photo #1

10238842 — 2024-05-09 18:05:45 UTC

Photo #2

10238842 — 2024-05-09 18:05:50 UTC