This is so cool! Such color to add to the family mythology.
So the story we always heard was that one day our French great-grandfather went out to buy a pack of cigarettes. He never came back.
My grandfather was five years old, his sister just three. My grandfather spent years searching for his father. Long story…
Anyway, this French great-grandfather, who came to America from France via Argentina, married another Argentinian immigrant who already had American citizenship - my great-grandmother. Thus my great-grandfather got his American citizenship.
We always assumed we were the wronged party… the family abandoned, my grandfather forced to beg on the street for food to feed his mother and sister.
I just now learned the real story.
My French great-grandfather was already married and had a family when he married my great-grandmother. He married her in order to come to America. When he had saved enough money he sent for his real family, and as far as we were concerned, he disappeared. As far as they were concerned we were a means to an end. He brought them to America and returned to them, his legal family.
His real family knew all about us and they didn’t want a thing to do with us, the bastard family. They left my great-grandmother, my grandfather and his sister to starve. They still don’t want a thing to do with us, even after five generations!
Born on the wrong side of the blanket!
Makes me so very happy. I love being part of the bastard family. Life is such a hoot sometimes.
This may go into a book… Wait for it.
Wow! Great story!
This is the stuff of epic, classic tales, Julia. The “real” kids are usually weaker, pale and entitled; the “bastards” are the strong, make-their-own destiny wanderers. No surprise which side you’re from!
Sorry to diss your great-grandfather, but I have no tolerance for men who breed and leave (maybe it’s because of my first husband). I don’t care about the reason; it’s ultimately a selfish move. But that’s just my opinion.
Celebrate your story, Julia!
I know, Marylin… right? This is the best thing I’ve heard about my family! And yeah, we are a weird independent tough bunch. Scrappy. Self-made. Who needs those entitled half-siblings?
Amazing. You’re a bastard? He was a bastard - in the other sense of the word. What a prick.
Oh but Greta, it makes for such a good story. When we found out last night you should have seen us- we were ecstatic! A bunch of us cousins were together for my dad’s birthday party.
Amazing that even back then men were behaving badly. It would definitely make for a interesting story.
Who was it who said, “My family is fodder for my fiction.”
I don’t know Jaye but it’s so true!
I think men have always behaved badly, Amber. We simply like to pretend they are more civilized.
Wow what a story. Pure drama. I don’t even need to say it do I…?
Family history is amazing, isn’t it? My very common family was shocked when my cousin was in Best Sex 2, a movie about, you guessed it. Then she owned a parlor where people had group sex.
She was always the quiet one.
Well, everyone was shocked but my grandmother.
No need to say it, Kat. When I have some time I’ll work on it!
Oh Stephanie - your grandmother sounds like a hoot! This stuff happens everywhere and to everyone!
That is so fabulous! So much more interesting than the usual run of the mill!
I think it’s hilarious Anny!
I have known women who do dastardly things as well.
Your family has the most fascinating stories. Mine is so dull in comparison.
Oh yes, Steph, women are perfectly capable of dastardly behavior. But it’s usually the man… I doubt your family is dull!