3 generations starting from my grandparents to their children and ends with their childrens children.

Nanny and Poppop Mascaro

Toni (mom)

Uncle Frank

Uncle Rick

Uncle Frank and Aunt Shirley

Andrea (cousin)

Frankie(cousin)

Uncle rick and Aunt Lynn

Carissa (cousin) and husband Jeff

Anthony(cousin)

Toni (mom)

Veronica(youngest sister)

Nick(oldest brother)

Natalie (me)

Ricky( brother)

Nonny and Popi

Dad

Aunt Roni

Aunt Joyce (no children)

Dad & my mom

Nick

Rick

Me

Veronica

Chris (half brother)

Brian (half brother)

Aunt Roni and Uncle Eric

Jessica

My grandmothers father was a stone mason and his son as well. Her grandmother was a housewife and took care of the children and house. There was no influence on what the family did then on what they do now. They needed to find better means to make more money and so they did. My grandmothers father was very into his Indian culture, he lived in a preserve and excluded himself from all humanity. (Cherokee Indian)

My ancestors spoke Italian, however, my grandmother states she can see the language unfortunately disappear slowly throughout generations. My ancestors from my dads side speak only English, they are descendants of Scotland.

Every year my family gets together to celebrate: New years Eve, New years, my grandparents anniversary, (which is now 64 years together this year!) We also celebrate: Fourth of July, Labor day, Veterans Day, (my grandfather is a Veteran) Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. We also like to celebrate birthdays. Just in January we get together to celebrate my sisters birthday and then my grandfathers and my birthday (it is on the same day!) We also go out to a restaurant at least once a year (usually in May.) My fathers side of the family is only really into celebrating big holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and birthdays.

I have a few family names starting from my grandmothers maiden name which is Mandarano, send for frogs. As you can see it does not have much meaning to the name. The only reason it changes is because my grandma receives a new one after marriage. After marrying my wonderful, amazing grandfather her name changes to Mascaro. This means solider which is ironic because my grandfather was a solider in Italy. (Where he was awarded a purple heart.) My dad last name Quigg derives from the Irish and means untidy or messy. This is something that can make sense, almost everyone in that family is messy!

My families experience is both similar and different to those of the immigrants and refugees today. To begin, they are similar because most of the immigrants and refugees come here to the United States to search for new and better opportunities, well my family did too. They also come here mostly by boats and my family did as well. They came on a ship known as the Passero. However, my family came to this country speaking a different language and not once asked the government for help. They did it all on their own and they made a great living and created a wonderful family. (Very proud of them) My family from my dads side is different from the immigrants and refugees today. Most of them, if not all, were born here in the U.S. and did not flee from another country. That side of the family also speaks only English, not one person speaks another language.

This exercise was easy in my point of view. Lucky for me my grandmother has always been interested in our family history and heritage. This exercise could be difficult in the event that the student has no close relatives or even living relatives that they know about. If a student has no contact to anyone in their family, their grandparents especially, this assignment would be very hard to complete. Also, if students do not have computers to do the research or the money to subscribe to websites that help you connect your family like ancestory.com then it would also be difficult. As a teacher I think this was an easy assignment. The only thing I would modify is to go a little deeper and get information on past generations.

Thank you for watching

Natalie Quigg