Domestic details

[pbray]

I've started poking at the family tree, in response to earlier comments by mizkit and tavella that convinced me I finally ought to get off my butt and apply for Irish citizenship.

Earlier today I found the 1925 immigration records for my grandparents--my grandmother was listed as a domestic, and my grandfather as a laborer. As per the family stories, she came first, in April, having issued the ultimatum that they would be married in America or not at all. He followed in September.

One of her main reasons for coming to America was that "In America, a woman can own land." It was a sore point with her--the family farm was land that had come to the family through her mother but it was her younger brother who inherited. Years later, when asked how she had been able to leave such a beautiful place, she told her daughters "You can't eat scenery."

My grandfather had fought with the IRA, but of the two, she was the braver. She was the one who learned how to drive a car, and adapted to modern life. She was never afraid of trying anything new--a quality that I sometimes lack. I suspect I'm more like my grandfather, who was a great storyteller, and could chat for hours without giving away any personal information.

Comments

[mmarques.livejournal.com]

That's a wonderful story about your grandmother. She sounds like a fascinating woman.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Your grandmother sounds like a fantastic woman. And hooray for getting ducks in a row! If there's anything I can do to help, let me know!

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks! So far it looks good--started sending away for the various documents that will prove I'm me. Luckily everything's on the internet these days--can't imagine trying to figure this stuff out back in the day when you'd have to call up these offices individually to figure out what forms you'd need, and how to get the right info.

[sylvia-rachel.livejournal.com]

What a great story!

She sounds a lot like my grandmother. I miss my grandmother.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I miss mine too.

[hundakleptisis.livejournal.com]

Ireland is so beautiful, I've only been there once, drove past the 300 yard long fushia bush and around the Ring of Kerry, and would really find it a wonderful place to live.

I am still amazed the fushia's grow wild over there.

S.J.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I was stunned to see palm trees in Kerry. I understand it's the warm currents, but still, Ireland is north of New England. There shouldn't be palm trees! :-)

[hundakleptisis.livejournal.com]

LOL There are palm trees in Brighton too, on the southwest coast of England. English gardeners just love growing the tropical stuff.

:)
S.J.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Isn't that *bizarre*? I've been living here a year and a half now and I'm *still* amused by the palm trees.