S1 E2•April 4, 2022•26 min
Lynam Family History: Kay & Terry
Kay & Terry tell us their early family memories.
Kay & Terry tell us their early family memories.
The Lynam family's immigration from Ireland to America was driven by parents' determination for better opportunities, involving significant risks like a transatlantic boat journey.
Father came alone first at age 45 as a bricklayer, saved money, then mother brought six children on an ocean liner.
Kay recalls apprehension transferring from tugboat to liner, fearing falling into water.
Cultural shock: From Dublin row house to Newark high-rise projects.
Life in a large family of eight children required shared responsibilities, pitching in, and adapting to limited space.
Terry, the only boy with seven sisters, shared one bathroom and bedrooms until age 13-14.
Announcement required before long bathroom use; everyone had daily jobs.
Not unusual for Irish Catholic families; compared to Brooks family with nine children.
Parents exemplified strong work ethic and complementary roles: Mother as determined leader, father as hardworking and gentle.
Mother managed household, finances, initiated forward-thinking moves; worked retail after school hours.
Father's dry humor, ensured children's preferences (e.g., 'Kay, do you like it?') amid necessities.
Both admired for risking move to U.S. for family's future.
Irish heritage maintained through return trips, family traditions, music, and research.
1961 Christmas trip back: Things seemed smaller; stayed with grandparents.
St. Patrick's Day parties, Irish American Club, playing Irish music.
Recent genealogy research pieced together ancestors' stories.
Message to younger generations: Appreciate heritage, parents' sacrifices, and inherit the family work ethic.
Be proud of Irish roots, learn history; value move that enabled current lives.
Continue family connections; cousins enjoy time together.
Work hard, don't expect handouts—ethic 'rubbed off' from parents.
"This Artifact was commissioned by Sean Lyneum to tell the childhood stories of the Lynam siblings."
"I honestly don't remember a wealth... I left when I was six. So, again, you know, I don't have strong memories, just little snippets."
"We first moved to Newark and it was so completely different from Ireland... to be in a tall high rise... was so very, very different."
"Am I finally going to get a brother? No. Another sister... We only had one bathroom with eight children and my parents."
"My mother was the boss... Father was always off working... I really admire what my father did to move the family over."
"A man came out of the shadows right in front of the car, and my uncle ran him over... The pilot took me up to the front of the plane."
"It's nice to be Irish. It's nice heritage to have... I've played a lot of Irish songs on St Patrick's Day."
"Appreciate what their grandparents did... the work ethic that our family had... it rubbed off on us."
