A FEW IDEAS FOR GETTING STARTED...

1.  Who was first in your family to live in this country, and what, if anything,  do you know about them? Are you aware of any obstacles they faced and anyone who may have helped them? If they came from elsewhere, do you know why they left? 

2. Some of us may have ancestors who endured great hardships, and others may have little or no information about their roots. These, too, are important American stories. Acknowledging difficult or unknown lives in our stories is a way to honor the legacy of all those who came before us.

3.  What are some of your family's favorite stories–those stories that are told over and over again, by parents or grandparents or other relatives. Consider sharing the ones that make your family members laugh or cry, and that illustrate what "family" means to you and to one another.

4. Have there been "turning points" in your own life or in your family's history–the moments, small or large, that changed the course of things in some way, for either good or bad?

5.  Many people who are born in the U.S. leave their birthplaces and resettle elsewhere in the country. While some families stay close to their original hometown areas, others tend to disperse and move to other locations. Have you or other family members moved to other states, and what guided those decisions?

6.  Moving from a different country can be challenging, but moving to a new state can also come with a learning curve.  How have you or members of your family navigated cultural differences between old and new homes, or possibly intermarriage or adoption across racial, ethnic, religious, cultural, or other lines?

7.  Outside of your own family's history or experience, there may be stories about friends or acquaintances who came here from other countries that capture what you think is meant by "the immigrant experience." 

8. If you or other family members might be considered part of a "minority group" by some, in what ways has that influenced your life?

9.  Who inspires you and why? Who are the people in your family who make you laugh, and how? In what ways are you and your family different, or the same? What are the things you have learned from your family? 

WHAT IF I HAVE A STORY, BUT I CAN'T DELIVER IT IN PERSON?

If you would like to share your story but cannot attend, arrangements can be made for you to submit a video or audio of your story to be played at the event, or to have someone read your story for you. 

If you wish to remain anonymous, or are simply uncomfortable with public speaking, your story can be presented, if need be, under a pseudonym.

CAN I SHARE MY STORY IN ANOTHER WAY?

Some of us may prefer to share our stories in song, or through artwork, or other means. Please reach out to us to discuss options for an alternative approach.

For information, contact us at:  ourrootsourvoices@gmail.com