My family heritage is German, Czech, Italian, and Irish. I know this because of a research project I did in high school tracing my family tree. I love history and listened quietly as the older generations told their stories. I had my grandparents write down all the information they knew. I still have the letters my grandparents sent to me to help with my history project.

My Father’s Mother, Sophia Walsh, was born in Italy. She was a long distance telephone operator. Grandpa Walsh enlisted in the Navy and served as a pharmacists mate. He later became a policeman in New York City. Grandpa’s name had been Brunner. Great-Grandfather Brunner was from Germany. Great-Grandmother was from Czechoslovakia. After my Great-Grandfather Brunner was lost at sea, Great-Grandmother married to Frank Walsh. My Grandpa then became Frederick Walsh. There is no record of Frank Walsh’s occupation, but Great Grandmother Walsh worked as a domestic and died in 1918 when Grandpa was only 12. Grandpa told stories that the last name was changed to Walsh to help get jobs. In those days, people with German names were not allowed to join the police force, but people with Irish names were.

My grandparents raised a family of four. My oldest Uncle was a policeman too, but he was killed in the line of duty before I was born. My Aunt Annette became a schoolteacher and my Aunt Delores worked for the federal government. Both Aunts took jobs because the families needed extra money after the kids were in school. My Dad joined the Navy and worked with computers at their inception. My Dad has also worked in the federal government and with civilian contractors.

My Mom’s family, the Connelly’s, hail from Milwaukee Wisconsin. My Grandfather Connelly’s Grandmother Marnell came to Wisconsin from Ireland. Her village in Ireland burnt down so we have no record of her entry into the United States. My Grandmother Connelly’s great-grandfathers emigrated from Alsace Loraine and Trier. My favorite "great" is Great-Grandfather Ehr who was in charge of Lion House at the Milwaukee Zoo.

Grandpa Connelly rose from truck-driver’s helper to vice president in Will Ross’s Hospital Supply House. Grandma Connelly, we called her Kate, was a homemaker who raised five kids. My youngest Uncle, Jon, is only five years older than I am—I think that contributes to Grandma going by Kate. My Aunt Cathy works as a legal secretary. My Aunt Mary is a retired schoolteacher. My Uncle Jon is an accountant. My Uncle Ray worked as a supervisor at Continental Can in Milwaukee. He was the quarterback on the football team and married Aunt Suzie—the head cheerleader. My Mom was a Navy nurse. She was discharged when she became pregnant with me. She taught nursing when I was a baby, but stayed home after my brother Mike was born prematurely while Dad was at sea.

Mom and Dad had six kids—only five of us are still living now. My brother Jon died in high school. I was in the Army—I’m the least job hopping out of all of my siblings. Mike has been in the Air Force as a security policeman and is now a security guard at the Pentagon. My sister Anne has been a stewardess, a legal secretary, a waitress/manager/bartender at Outback, a party planner, a mother and a wife. Anne is now studying to be a school counselor. Sherry is a veterinary technician with 3 dogs, 3 cats and  3 kids—but only one husband. She’s always loved animals. Sarah is advertising specialist. She was with AOL in the early days and is currently working for Ebay in Australia.

My family has been a part of the majority and as such faced little discrimination. Achieving a college degree and post-graduate work is common in my family.

REFLECTION:

I know I have been lucky.  I have a solid foundation in life with the support of my family.  In teaching I need to remember that not all of my students will have that family support.