Have you ever wanted to know more about where your family came from? Or maybe you've heard stories from your parents or grandparents about ancestors that seem bigger than life.

In this historical memoir, the author traces her family back to their origins in northeastern America, starting with the stories she heard over many decades, contributing a few of her own stories, and enriching each with historical context. Some are iconic American stories. Others take us back centuries to an America that we barely remember.

Like many Americans of European origin, the author descends from many families: Dutch New Netherlanders, New England Puritans, Potato Famine Irish, Italian tradespeople, and Americans at war. Follow her on her journey - with a few surprises along the way - and maybe learn a little about your own family origins, too.