My Past

            I always like to hear stories my mother and grandmother tells me about their childhood and how my family got to America.  They always amaze me even though I've heard them so many times.
            First, my mother's side.  My mom was born in, Newark, NJ.  To Ann and Jim Travers, my grandparents.   She had two older brothers.  They grew up Bloomfield, NJ.  My grandma was born in the United States, however most of her family was born in Ireland.  She had four other brothers and sisters, three of which were born in Ireland.  The came to New York on a boat from County Kerry Ireland where they had little food.  They weren't very wealthy so they were in the low deck of the ship.  The children would cry every morning.  One day the captain of the ship came to their door and said
        "Why do your children always cry?"
        "Well, their hungry." she said.  And every morning after that,  the captain brought down food for them so they wouldn't cry anymore.  That was always my favorite story.  My grandfather was born here but his parents were from Ireland.  They were wealthier than my grandmother's family and had a much more comfortable trip.  He met my grandmother when they were thirteen years old.
             Now, my father's side.  My father was born in Hemsteade, NY, to Walter and Elizabeth Wolfarth. He had one brother.  My grandfather, who I called Opa, was born in Stuttgart, Germany.  He came to America in 1950 on a ship.  When he got to America he was drafted into the army.  My Oma was born in Scotland (we're not sure where in Scotland).  She also came here on a ship, but she was just a baby.  She went to school in New York and then met my Opa, who we already talked about.  I don't know much about my father's side.  My Opa and Oma died when I was six and seven years old.  I know, when my Opa still lived in Germany he was in Hitler Youth, and my great grandfather was in World War II, but thats all I really know.