Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Interview for grandma

My grandma talked to me about how she was from Sicily. Although born here, both of her parents were born there. Her last name is pampanela. She then married my grandpa, who’s last name was Ryba, and changed her last name. Her name is Louise and was given that name because her parents thought it was very pretty. Nor hers or my name were based on religious affiliation. She told me her name was not extremely common but not rare either. I’m not named after anyone in particular but my parents wanted my name to have a “y”. Resultingly, my name is Ely.
My grandma’s family came from Sicily and my grandpa’s family came from Poland. Her family migrated over to Chicago in the 1930s. My grandparents met each other in middle school. They had my dad and his two sisters. They first lived in downers grove, then later moved to Northbrook. Later, when my dad and mom met, they lived together downtown Chicago. When they wanted kids, they came to Northfield and now that’s where we are.
I would definitely identify myself as Italian. I get it a little from my dads side but mostly my moms side. The second ethnicity I’d call myself is Polish because I have Polish blood from both sides. The food we eat and the way we spend time together as a family is mostly American, but still a little bit of Polish and Italian mixed into it. For the most part, we are mostly Americanized. I don’t speak any other language other than English. I believe my grandpa speaks Polish, but my grandma doesn’t speak Sicilian.

1 comment:

  1. Nice post, Eli. Great material from your grandma, and way to REPRESENT NORTHBROOK!

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