Celeste, I have to add my opinion to this discussion.
I agree what has been said. When I interview my relatives that came to America the common answer they give is, they came to America for a better life. Where they were living in Sao Jorge and Pico in the early 1900s was every poor conditions. The relatives that came to America in the 1970 came for the same reason and for their children so they could have a better future. They all heard about America being a better place to live for themselves and their children. When I did the history of my father's family that came from Norfolk, England in 1638. They came to New England, because they could own land. In England at the time, the people could not own land in their name. Only the King. Myself an older person, may have to move from California to Oregon, because the cost of living is cheaper than in California. I have been watching my families move. When they first came to America, they first settle in the late 1890s in West Oakland, California. Than each family moved to Hayward and Moraga, and than each generation after moved further East to Tracy and Gustine and than South along highway 99 to, Modesto, Turlock, Merced and now the futurist South is living in Fresno. They came to America as Dairymen and Farmers. The newer generation has graduated from College and is working with their brains instead of with their hands. The motivation that moves them is where they can find work and be able to purchase a house. The reason to move seems to be the same in each generation for better opportunities for themselves and their families. It is wonderful to be witness to our families that have grown and succeeded in what they wanted to find in America. When I have put on a family reunion and we start with a memorial pray and a pray of thank you to the first relatives that came to America. Because we are enjoying the fruits of their labor of the generation that first came to America. This is my opinion to why did our relatives came to America. They left behind the old country, their homes, jobs and families with hope and dream of a better life. Eugenia --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To unsubscribe from this group, send email to azores-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
