Kiersten
Troy, NY
My paternal side of the family is 100% Polish. My family has always embraced our Polish heritage. My great-great grandparents were born in Poland. Many members of my family have traveled to Poland to visit extended cousins and make connections with the country. I personally do not speak Polish, but my grandparents did. My grandfather was the President of the Polish Community Center in Albany, NY for many years. I grew up going to Polish dances and festivals. I know many words to Polish songs, and how to polka dance, thanks to my grandfather. I don’t know much about my maternal side of the family, other than my immediate relatives. It’s always been intriguing for me to know so much about one side and not the other. I am sure many folks feel the same way, if they are lucky enough to know anything at all about their ancestors. It is a blessing to feel a connection and know some of my familial roots. In our modern society we have access to wonderful resources to research our connections. Each of us are unique; in our story, our history and our experiences. Diversity is engrained in our society, and that is a privilege.