Ancestor Im/migration Stories

Share your own story of immigration!

After reviewing the questions and watching the video below, just click the button at the bottom of the page to go to the recording portal.

As you record your testimonial you’ll be guided through a series of questions that were developed to provide a basic framework for your story. You may skip any questions you feel aren’t particularly relevant to your experience and there is an opportunity at the end of the module for you to share information that was not asked in the pre-prepared questions. This is YOUR story.

Testimonial Questions

Here is the list of questions that you can answer during the testimonial:

Please provide your name. If you wish, you may also include your age and gender but this is optional.

What is your primary connection with Bergen Community College? Are you a student, employee, or related to a student or employee? How did you learn about this project?

Describe your family’s story about coming to this country and community. Where did they come from and where did they first settle? Why did they choose to im/migrate? Did your family stay in one place, or have they moved around? How did they come to live where they are now?

Has your family shared stories about the most difficult part of their journey? What have you heard about what they missed most?

What traditions from your family’s country—like celebrations, foods, or songs—do you or your family still enjoy? How have those traditions changed over time?

What were your relative(s)’ dreams in coming here? How did those dreams compare with reality? What people or events helped, or got in the way, of achieving those dreams?

Did your family ever feel unwelcome because they were newcomers, outsiders, or because of their identities? What types of things or were there people that helped your family feel welcome in the new community (e.g., religious groups, ethnic organizations, friends)?

In what ways did your family’s views of America change after living in the United States?

What connections do you see between your family story and that of today’s immigrants?

Is there anything you would like to add that has not been asked?

Following the recording of your testimonial, you will be asked to agree to the following Terms of Service so that we will have your permission to retain and use your story in our verbatim theater production, website, and archive. Your recording will not be saved unless you grant permission. Here is the agreement:

I hereby give this video and/or audio recording including sound, still or moving images to Bergen Community College (BCC) as a donation for such historical and scholarly purposes as they see fit, including but not limited to the exclusive rights of reproduction, distribution, preparation of derivative works, public performance, and display in print, visual, electronic, or other available media, including the the Bergen Community College website and other BCC affiliated social media internet sites. I agree that the rights to the sound, still, or moving images belong to Bergen Community College. Bergen Community College can assume no responsibility for misuse of literary or copyright restrictions by users of unrestricted material beyond prevailing ethics and standards. I understand that I will receive no compensation for my participation and that I have no claim on the finished product.

Here is a video walkthrough to assist you in your recording should you need it: