Traditionally speakingby Pat Larsen - Sharing the Generational Bridge

Here we are the generation called “ Baby Boomers” still walking this earth with our families, friends and kids are known as the Gen Y’s or Baby Boomer “Echos” then followed by the Gen X’s, closely tailed by the Millennials and finally the Gen Z’s.

I kid you not. This is all a “thing”. 

Generation names are based on when members of that particular generation became adults ( ages 18-21).

Here are more interesting details that you may not have been following…Generation Jones ( aka Boomers) were young enough to have missed the draft into war. It’s literally staggering to try to properly label the birth year spans in each category. Please try if you thrive on those facts. I was quickly overwhelmed by the dates.

Is your head spinning now too?  I just innocently thought this might be a fun topic to explore together. But alas, sharing this generational bridge is significant to the U.S. Census Bureau.

And we know that agency is definitely an important aspect of living here in this country for a whole host of economic reasons.

Let’s for argument's sake, just think about this topic similarly as our grandparents did, the Post Wars and or WWII generations.

What was important to my Grandparents was most likely important to yours as well. 

They were the immigrants who in most cases traveled from far-off places to find a better life here in the U.S. 

From my limited vantage point as a kid living in Brooklyn in the 1950s, most ethnic groups would find refuge among families who arrived earlier than they. Traditions were similarly enticing to those who made their way to areas called Little Italy, Chinatown, the Bronx, Staten Island, Central Harlem, and many of the small waterfront communities in Brooklyn. NY. where they established networks of cultural, educational, economic and political support. 

I was only aware that immigrants coming to the United States landed in New York at Ellis Island. Passengers, apparently, arrived at three different ports from 1855-1954.

These additional ports also included Castle Garden and Barge Office as well as Ellis Island. 

Ellis Island is a federally owned island in New York Harbor, situated within the U.S. between  New Jersey and New York.

It was the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. It opened in January 1892.

My grandparents on both familial sides  ALL arrived and entered this country through Ellis Island. I’ve actually had the opportunity to see the paperwork that they carried through the gates.

I have lived in NY my entire life but never had the opportunity to actually visit Ellis Island and tour the grand Statue of Liberty.

However, I do recall one glorious occasion when I was sailing with my parents heading for the Jones Inlet on Long Island and there she was. Such an amazing sight to behold. I immediately thought about my grandparents and felt as though I was channeling their enormous joy to have landed in their new home.

The point of this column is simply to ask you to consider tapping into a memory that could actually include a story about your family's immigration to this great land. 

Without their courage, this story may never have unfolded.

I think it’s an important piece of our history as the Baby Boomer generation to celebrate our stories while we still are present in this life.

Maybe not every piece of the puzzle will be exact as we retell what we recall but  it’s definitely worth the effort.

Crossing the generational bridge may be the last gift we are able to give our family that helps us to remain relevant in the family storyline.

Don’t miss this opportunity.

Pat Larsen lives, works and plays in Greene County, NY

Contact Pat at 518-275-8686