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We are a country of immigrants. .

..Almost all of our citizens have roots in other countries. Unless you are a full-blooded Native American, either you or one of your ancestors journeyed to the United States. Maybe it was your parents. Maybe it was someone 300 years ago. But someone in your family, for whatever reason, was uprooted from home and culture, and traveled here, making the United States his or her new home.

     
What is your story?
   

If you know anything about this story, I would love to hear from you. It doesn’t have to be fully documented. You don’t even have to know much more than a phrase or two that has been passed down from generation to generation. But I am very interested in the stories.

I am collecting them first and foremost because I find them fascinating, wondrous, and inspiring. I originally wanted to publish them in a book, but I now believe they will have a wider audience staying on the web. And that is my main goal, to share these amazing stories with as many people as possible. I also hope you will not disregard this request because you do not believe your story could be that interesting. I believe ALL stories say something about us as a nation. And if you are concerned about anonymity for whatever reason, they can be published without your name or with a pseudonym. I deeply hope you will share whatever piece of information you have.

How to share the story!
There are many ways to share your story. As you can see in the "Stories Shared" section, some people have written their stories in varying ways. (You may want to read Hoa’s poem, "Departure," from Vietnam.) Others are taken from interviews I have done with people. Whatever way of sharing feels the most comfortable for you is what I would like.

I have listed topics in the "Share Your Story" section to help you think through various parts of the story, but you do not have to use them. I have included them only as a way to help some people organize their thoughts.

If others in your family have more of the story but do not use the Internet, I hope you will find a way to have them tell the story. What a gift to future generations to have the story told! You might want to consider audio or videotaping this relative as he or she tells the story. If you do audio or videotape the discussion, please send me a copy of the tape, but do not send me the original! I cannot promise I will be able to send it back.

 

I would also be more than happy to interview anyone myself by telephone, if you prefer. If you would like to be interviewed, please email me with your phone number and possible times for me to call, and we will set something up.

Whatever method you decide to use, you may either email me the story itself or a way to contact you for an interview. (stories at immigrantjourneys Dot com) You may also mail the story or tape to the address below. Again, if you’re sending a tape, please make sure it is NOT the original, as I cannot promise that I will be able to return it.

Release of Information:
Before I can use any information you give me, I will need a release. Please go to the "Release of Information" section, read over it, print it out, and if you agree with it, type in your name and click "accept." Otherwise, I will not be able to use your story. If you do not want your name published, be sure and write that first on any correspondence with me. However, I do need you to give me your real name on the release, when you submit the story, and on any correspondence about your story.

Stories Shared:
I also invite you to read portions of others’ stories. I will be adding more as they come in, so you might want to check in from time to time. Click on the "Stories Shared" button to read what the journey has been like for others. Email address: stories at immigrantjourneys Dot com

Regular mail: Gretchen Morgan, P.O. Box 661467, Sacramento, CA 95866-1467

 

 

 

Gretchen Morgan, stories at immigrantjourneys Dot com, P.O. Box 661467, Sacramento, CA 95866-1467

 
 
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