mostly true: an exploration of my family history
TRANSCRIPT
Family histories are tricky things, especially when the people in the stories don't necessarily want to talk about their pasts. My family immigrated to the US in the early 1800's, many to escape the anA-‐SemiAsm that was rampant in their countries. Through a series of personal interviews, family stories passed down from generaAon to generaAon, and my own imaginaAon to fill in the gaps, I have compiled a series of short stories about my family and their lives in America from their arrival here in the 1800's to the present day. Although each family has a different story to tell, the stories of love, loss, and faith unite all of us, no maIer our backgrounds.
Mostly True: An ExploraAon of My Family History
Jessica Urban Advisor: Albino Carrillo
Abstract
Frank Walter Urban
1893 - 1979
Anna Barbara Molson
1895 - 1971
Ralph John Urban
1920 - 2011
John Persowich1898 - 1977
Tillie Liszter1901 - 1967
Millie Persowich1923 - 2011
Tod Urban1958 -
Samuel Berke1901 - 1987
Claire Stein Berke
1904 - 1959
Perry Morton Berke1931 -
Sidney Grinker
1904 - 1986
Ethel Winer1907 - 1989
Joan Grinker1931 -
Lisa Berke1958 -
Jessica Lindsey Urban
Vertical Pedigree Chart for Jessica Lindsey Urban
• 8 short stories v Opening v Remembrance v Tell Me Again: Rae’s Story v De jure – Concerning the Law v Polka Dots and Moonbeams v The ‘C’ Word v Grinker’s Pharmacy v AZerward
• 1800’s – Present Day • Topics range from adopAon to death to
religion to immigraAon
What is CreaAve Non-‐FicAon?
Family Tree
Content
• CreaAve nonficAon is stories that are based on and rooted in fact, but are not necessarily 100% true.
• The creaAve porAon of the nonficAon makes the stories read more like ficAonal pieces, meant to grab the readers aIenAon.
• CreaAve nonficAon oZen requires historical research.
Research
• Ancestry.com • Primary sources • Primary documents • Secondary Sources • ImmigraAon Records
A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, just not necessarily in that order. Jean-‐Luc Godard
There is a quote in Carousel (that’s the pesky theatre major popping up) that goes, “as long as there’s one person on earth who remembers you – it isn’t over.” My aunt and uncle died in July and September of 2012. Then enAre idea for wriAng this thesis started with a simple story about them – parts of which have been meshed into “The C Word.” My grandparents died sooner than that, but theirs were expected deaths. I like to think that I have said their names oZen enough – David Sco0 Berke, Rosalind Foy Berke, Millie Urban, Ralph John Urban, Jeanne Wyman, Claire Berke, Samuel Berke, Sidney Grinker, Ethel Winer Grinker, Sophie Berke, Toiv Berke – that they are not forgoIen, not passed over. They are alive in our memories, even someAmes in our words and acAons – something I am always pleased to see. Call it my version of the Mourner’s Kaddish if you will. As long as there are people who are willing to listen, there will always be stories to be told.