The Random Genealogist is a web site about family , history and connections. By looking to the past we often find answers to questions we hold in the present, we come to appreciate the struggles and triumphs of those who have gone before us and catch a glimpse of how average people shaped history and were shaped by it. There has been so much talk lately about immigration, refugees, illegals, so much fear, so much misunderstanding. This morning I posted on my personal Facebook... page, a quote form Pope Francis, this was not politically motivated, just a thought for the day. The quote was, "How often in the Bible the Lord asks us to welcome migrants and foreigners, reminding us that we too are foreigners!" A woman replied to this post, a woman I have known for several years and know to be an extremely kind and compassionate woman, the kind of person who would take the food from her own mouth to feed a stranger. Her reply was that she was not against all immigrants, just illegal immigrants. I confess, I was confounded to hear this come from her and can only believe it is borne of fear of the unknown. I suspect too many people in America share such a fear. They may know illegal immigrants, but would never realize it because this is a secret that, as we have seen in recent days, must be closely guarded.
I believe that fear can only be over come by knowledge, so I would like to start a project at The Random Genealogist, to give voice to the stories of the many people hiding in the shadows. Perhaps if we can share some stories of why they came to this country and how they found them selves illegal immigrants, we can spread tolerance. But I will need your help with this project. Please spread this post , and tell your friends, family and anyone you know, that The Random Genealogist is looking to hear form Illegal immigrants, to hear their stories and will publish their stories, anonymously, on the web site. They can reach us through this Facebook group, or the web site- therandomgenealogist.com
or by mail - send letters to The Random Genealogist PO box 250 Odessa NY 14869 , or by email therandomgenealogist@gmail.com
Send your information anonymously, use a public computer- such as a library or send letters without return address. Use fake names- but please, send us your stories, let us help you to let your voice be heard
Please share where you came from, what was it like there when you left?, who you came with ( family , friends, parents, etc) your age when you left your country, the reason you and /or your family came to America- was it to work, to escape hardship, to go to school,? and how you came to be here, what was your journey- did you come by plane on a visa and not return, did you come secretly across the boarder? Please also share how these choices have changed your life or the lives of your loved ones and how you are feeling now.
I look forward to hearing from you, to sharing your stories and , hopefully, helping to dispel the fears and concerns of the many people like my friend to breed tolerance and understanding.
I believe that fear can only be over come by knowledge, so I would like to start a project at The Random Genealogist, to give voice to the stories of the many people hiding in the shadows. Perhaps if we can share some stories of why they came to this country and how they found them selves illegal immigrants, we can spread tolerance. But I will need your help with this project. Please spread this post , and tell your friends, family and anyone you know, that The Random Genealogist is looking to hear form Illegal immigrants, to hear their stories and will publish their stories, anonymously, on the web site. They can reach us through this Facebook group, or the web site- therandomgenealogist.com
or by mail - send letters to The Random Genealogist PO box 250 Odessa NY 14869 , or by email therandomgenealogist@gmail.com
Send your information anonymously, use a public computer- such as a library or send letters without return address. Use fake names- but please, send us your stories, let us help you to let your voice be heard
Please share where you came from, what was it like there when you left?, who you came with ( family , friends, parents, etc) your age when you left your country, the reason you and /or your family came to America- was it to work, to escape hardship, to go to school,? and how you came to be here, what was your journey- did you come by plane on a visa and not return, did you come secretly across the boarder? Please also share how these choices have changed your life or the lives of your loved ones and how you are feeling now.
I look forward to hearing from you, to sharing your stories and , hopefully, helping to dispel the fears and concerns of the many people like my friend to breed tolerance and understanding.