• So, then, to every man his chance—to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity—to every man the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him — this, seeker, is the promise of America.

Thomas Wolfe - You Can't Go Home Again

Thomas Wolfe, the eccentric and enigmatic early 20th Century American writer, loved all things American, and he held a vision of America as a land of opportunity, personal freedom, and respect for individuality. The quote above expresses Wolfe's belief that while America promised opportunity, it did not promise success. Success, Wolfe believed, was in the hands of each individual and achieving it depended on the vision, initiative and effort of each man and woman. For Wolfe, opportunity was the original American Dream, and it's what brought millions of immigrants to America in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some succeeded, and some did not. Our family's immigrant ancestors came seeking opportunity, too. They came with very little, but thankfully, remembered to pack their courage, dedication, faith, initiative, and hard work - all the elements that they would need to succeed in their new homes. These are the stories of eight of those immigrant families.

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