Made Into America: Immigrant Stories Archive

Julia Scocimara was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1967. She moved to Canada when she was two years old. She moved with her family because her parents had lived in Germany during World War II and wanted a fresh start in someplace other than Germany. Her father was offered a job in Canada and decided it was the perfect opportunity ... Read More »

Angela “Angi” Chau was born in 1977 in Hong Kong. She and her sister were raised by their grandmothers while their parents were applying for a green card in the United States. Her father was fairly familiar with the United States because he went to college in America, but moved back to Hong Kong after graduating. The main reason for ... Read More »

As I walked into the Stevenson House, I noticed that everyone waiting to meet us was smiling. They seemed genuinely happy to see a big group of 63 girls walk into their midst. We were there to interview the residents of Stevenson House about their lives and learn a little more about their immigrant pasts. I sat down in front ... Read More »

The following interview was conducted by Castilleja School student, Meg Johnson, at the Day Worker Center of Mountain View.The name of the interviewee has been changed. I was born in the capital of Mexico, Mexico City. After living there I was in Michoacán for 10 years. Michoacán is close to Mexico City; it is very beautiful and is a tourist ... Read More »

The following interview of Jose was done by students from Castilleja School in Palo Alto, Nyanika Kapoor and Katherine Moldow – at the Day Worker Center. What was the hardest part about leaving Mexico? Jose: The most difficult part was that I knew I wouldn’t be able to see my family. What was your life like in Mexico? Jose: My ... Read More »

The following interview was conducted at the Day Worker Center of Mountain View by Castilleja School students, Aimee An and Heejin Hahn. RICHARD: My name is Richard. My mom—she is from Sweden, Stockholm and my dad is from Samoa. Do you know Samoa? HH: I think so. A little bit. RICHARD: I will bring the map to show you. I’m ... Read More »

My name is Roberto. I grew up in Mexico where I studied and went to school, but only through primary school. I came to the United States just a little bit of time ago. I have been here for about five or ten years. I liked to live in Mexico more because it was more fun. There were opportunities, but ... Read More »

Lidiya was born in the Ukraine in July 1929. When Lidiya was a young child, she moved to Kharkov, Russia. The government there was oppressive, and they killed Lidiya’s father when she was only five years old. When Lidiya was ten, World War Two started. The Nazi party occupied Kharkov, and there was always a lot of fighting nearby. Despite ... Read More »