My Family History Story by Neriah Rojas

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

10266361 — 2024-05-09 18:03:39 UTC

My Grandparents(Mom's side) both immigrated from Mexico to the U.S.. My grandma, Armida, came from an extremely small town. It was a close community, miles away from any cities. There was no running water or electricity throughout the entire town. She had relatives who had moved to the U.S., and she was urged to join them so that she would have the opportunity for a better life. My grandpa, Manuel, was slightly better off, but his parents still urged him to go to the U.S. with his relatives. It was there, in California, where they met.

What were the obstacles that they met?

10266361 — 2024-05-09 18:03:57 UTC

When they first got here, they both had to get their citizenship. Since California has always been a pretty diverse state, they didn't deal with much racism or discrimination. They also had to learn basic English, since they were coming to America knowing absolutely no English. They still don't speak it very well, but they know the basics.

My Grandparents on my Dad's side also dealt with the same stuff, but they also struggled with money and lived in a small apartment with two kids in Fallbrook. The owner of the apartments was the one who helped them adapt to living in the U.S.

What was going on historically in the U.S.? Did it affect your family?

10266361 — 2024-05-09 18:05:30 UTC

When my Grandparents (Mom's side) came to the U.S., it was around the 70's. There was a big inflation going on, but I haven't heard anything about that from my family, so I don't think they were too impacted by it.

My Grandparents (Dad's side) came to America a little later, around the late 80's. They also didn't get impacted much by what was going on in the U.S. at the time. They lived in Mexico City when the 1985 Mexico City earthquake hit, but my Dad was only 1 year old when it happened.

However, my Mom and Dad both remember 9/11. My mom was driving to school and the radio stopped to announce that a plane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers. My Dad remembers that when he got to school they made everyone watch the news.

30 Second Family video

10266361 — 2024-05-09 18:05:43 UTC

Photo #1

10266361 — 2024-05-09 18:05:51 UTC

My Grandma and Grandpa (Mom's side)

Photo#2

10266361 — 2024-05-09 18:05:58 UTC

My Grandma and Grandpa (Mom's side) with my Grandpa's parents