If you were born in the US, is it just silly romanticism to want to investigate your parents' birth countries?

Question

My mother is from Sweden and my sister collects all things Swedish. I tell her she's American and she should be proud of that.

Answer 1

There is absolutely nothing wrong with following your heritage. Viewing other countries' ways of life helps to expand your horizons and opens your mind to new ways of thinking. I feel it makes for a more grounded person to explore other cultures and/or countries.

She can be both proud of being american and having swedish relatives.

Answer 2

No, I don't think it's silly romanticism at all...
My father has been researching our geneology since the 70's and has discovered many interesting things!
I have gone with him in search of old cemetaries, old homesteads, old churches and the like....it has always been a great adventure! To some, it may not really matter, but to others it is is like finding a piece of yourself that you didn't really know existed. Do you ever wonder how many of your ancestors may have been war heros...and what were they fighting for? And what effect it has on our lives today?......Or maybe even, was your family decended from royalty, and is there anything not claimed that you may have a right to?...
Or you can just get gratification knowing that you dug deep enough and found the roots to the giant tree..
And be amazed at how many branches are on it, and how many other trees are connected to it...
For me, its all of the above, and then some!
A few of us who are decended from Irish ancestors, have described a "feeling" or a "calling back" of our bloodlines....
I can only explain it in simple terms here by saying that some of us "KNOW" things, and "FEEL" things and are "CONNECTED" to things which make us feel like we are being drawn back to the place and time we belong in.
As strange as it probably sounds, this is true of alot of people of Irish and/or Scottish decent.
And I'm sure is the reason for the popular religious practices that have roots in the ancient lands. And also linked with psychic or other practices.
Beyond that, Many of us have found that some of the historical people we have studied in school , are actually ancestors or related by blood or marriage, and if it's someone admirable, we just get a kick out of it!
For instance, although this is not a recent discovery (I've known the story my entire life)
I am one of the very few Great grandchildren of the now famous Wiliiam Pinkney Inman....( Made publicly known by the movie, COLD MOUNTAIN) I'm thrilled to have known Jude Law portrayed my grandfather, and that Nicole Kiddman portrayed my grandmother....(although SOME of the events in the movie are fictional)
I have also found that I am a decendant of the great freedom fighter William Wallace....(as portrayed in Braveheart by Mel Gibson) and also of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland.
I am a 6th cousin of Justin Timberlake, the singer
Related to Dolly Parton by her marriage
Ancestor of Wyatt Earp, famous gunslinging lawman
related to Ty Cobb, famous baseball player
Many of my great Grandfathers fought and died for the freedom that not just myself, but ALL Americans cherish.
And the list goes on...
Did anyone ever guess over a hundred years later, that Wyatt Earps Great Grandaughter would meet and marry his best friend Doc Hollidays Great nephew?
Neither did I, until I uncovered some roots of my husbands family tree!
Although my maiden name has always been McDonald, Ship records prove my earliest America- bound ancestor to be a McDaniel....
ANYWAY, there you have it....it's the thrill of knowing and linking people together and even proving old records to be wrong....and knowing where and who you really came from!
One day, you'll be asking your sister to share her info with you, so don't get on her bad side!

Answer 3

I consider it silly romanticism sometimes. One of my friends is part Irish and insisted on the shamrock tatoo and wears lots of green. That's silly. If you recently arrived and hold your culture close, that's different, I think. Story time :)

Two of my Japanese friends invited me and my date over for dinner. They asked me what I was, my culture. I said I was American. Then the husband asked again and I give the same answer (I'm a slow learner). It just didn't compute for them.

They didn't consider America a culture, they considered it a place you live after you've immigrated. The third time he asked the question I figured it out and said, "Norweigen." Then they said, "ahhhhh!," and that was a bit of a mind bending experience for me. Wonder what's they'd think of the immigration debate.

Answer 4

She is still American even though she is also proud of her heritage. I am Jewish but I am still an American. There is nothing wrong with knowing where you came from and being proud of that fact.

Answer 5

Not at all...just learn all 'you' can about same....and the history of the countries and go visit the historical land/sea/air/ marks....