Attention: Residents of the United States of America — listen up.
Unless your heritage is Native American, your ancestors were born on another continent.
Were they born in Africa? Very likely someone was kidnapped or captured in a skirmish between tribes and transported against their will to North America.
Were they born in Asia? My guess is they came to work. Perhaps on Hawaiian plantations. Or US railroads. Often the men came first, and if possible later, sent for families.
Were they born in Europe? Immigrants made the journey for many reasons. Usually the head of household made the choice — often dictated by economic reasons. The cost of land. Crop failures. Avoid military service. Adventure. Idealism.
Difficult work and unfamiliar weather, crops, and neighbors greeted them in this New World. But tell me — when did they become American?
Kurt Tafel was born in Pennsylvania and learned Deutsch as his first language. Is he American? What about his father — also born in Pennsylvania? Are the Tafels more or less American than the Scots and Irish who followed them across the ocean?
Just a little question to keep in your mind as your read the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream. Set in 1851 Illinois, enjoy the adventures of the residents of the fictional river town, Elm Ridge.
Here’s a link to the book: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh
