When my ancestors immigrated to the United States from Italy they hoped for a better life for their family. As they rode across what seemed to be a never-ending ocean, they knew that it was important to retain as much as “old-country Italian life” as possible. This was a characteristic that many immigrants shared as their lives radically changed. Yes, the hope for the “American Dream” was enticing, exciting, and scary, but remembering where one comes from is also crucial. As their lives began and minimum wage wasn’t even a thought yet, Italian families (especially mine) kept things authentic to the best of their ability. Of course, not everything can be exactly the way it was like in Italy, but it made the challenges and hardships of this new, cruel country survivable.
In terms of immigration transforming my ancestors’ area, the influx of different nationalities created smaller ethnic groups. I used to talk to my grandparents about what it was like when they immigrated from Italy and they would tell me that it was like traveling with one, big family. Since Italian culture focuses a great deal on this value of family togetherness, it was vital that when they arrived at Ellis Island, they continued these beliefs. My grandparents would reminisce about what it was like to live in a neighborhood where everyone around them came from the same place with similar goals. As time grew on, however, Italian neighborhoods began to become more ethnically diverse.