My father's side appears to be old stock immigrants, dating back to the Revolutionary War for both sides - English/Irish/Scottish to German and even a French Huguenot for good measure. My mom's maternal line were first and second generation Americans, from Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Germany. My maternal grandfather's family were Pilgrims and Puritans on his mother's side, and Irish on his father's side, part of earlier immigrant waves. I've only researched back to my second great-grandparents on that side so I may find more surprises.
It's my mother's side that have passed on stories one of which I I'm going to share today. Many of our early ancestors maintained their culture and language when they came to this country. The start of the 20th century saw a shift in this with the start of World War I. My great-grandmother's first language was not English, even though she was born in New York on July 3, 1888. My mom used to say she spoke broken English, saying "Make on the lights." and her mother, Charlotte, was known as "Großmutter", a German word for grandmother. Charlotte E Schoette, was born in New York in 1863, but I believe was German also, although I've only traced the family to Nova Scotia thus far. Anna Wilhemena Gurke, or Nana, as I grew up knowing her was a tough lady. My uncle says that she was mean. "She didn't like me and I didn't like her."
My uncle recalls one story that I wrote an essay on for one of my history classes in college. As the story goes, the Gurke household used to play the German national anthem, and during the time before the US entered World War I, many Americans with German heritage were having their loyalty to the US questioned. Are you American or are you German? See, my great-grandfather arrived from Germany to Castle Garden, New York in 1881, and was naturalized five years later in 1886. The US entered the war against Germany in 1917, 19 years after Heinrich became a US citizen. The very act of declaring war on Germany mandated that German-Americans take sides, and along else was unacceptable. While I understand the reason my family abandoned our German heritage, I think it is a shame that some of the traditions did not get passed on to my mom or me.
Nana died a few months before I was born in 1963. My cousin was 8 when she died, and she does have pleasant memories of Nana's visits, unlike my uncle, who actually lived in the same home with her for nearly 20 years. My mother used to say that my grandmother was just like her in the year we lived together (1979-80). While I didn't notice, I could tell it drove my mother crazy. When I told her to tell her, she said she couldn't say anything, but gave me full permission to set her in her place if it ever became necessary. Strong German women, very opinionated and outspoken. While I still see traits of this in my daughter and I, as well as a scary physical resemblance, I think we are strong, while still outspoken, but in good ways.
While I treasure jewelry that was given to me that belonged to Anna, her ruby ring (I was the only member of the family born in July.), and her daisy diamond ring, both gifts from my grandmother, Nana's photograph collection dating back to 1906, allows me to see my ancestors in their daily lives. However, most of what I treasure is the gift of freedom and the gift of being born into a country that has provided me opportunities that were only dreams to my ancestors. As I've had the opportunity to be a guest in other countries, I can tell you I wouldn't trade the American experience for any other.
Happy 4th of July to all of you, and Happy Birthday, Nana ! May all of us pause to reflect on how blessed we are to live in a nation founded on Godly principles and precepts. Thanks seems such a simple word to those who have fought and died to create and preserve the American way of life. God bless our troops!
