With the exception of Native Americans, all people residing in the United States today have "roots" elsewhere.  My humble heritage primarily is from the British Isles. My ancestors on my paternal grandparent’s side emigrated here in the 1850's from Ireland...County Cork and County Kerry to be more specific.  Once in America, the Goggin clan initially became railroad workers and later proud firemen for the State of Maine and the Maddocks lineage came from England with a recorded family tree that dates back into the 1500's. On my maternal side, the Ingalls line is also well-documented and easy for anyone doing genealogy research to tie into (I'm told that all Ingalls living in the United States have common ancestors) and the Farrell’s seem to have came from seafaring people originating from many ports of call. Like everyone else, my ancestry is a mixture and I am the product of people coming to America to pursue the Great American Dream. Many of us are a unique blend of many cultures and some of us are products of many races blending together over time. This great country we call home has come a long way since our founding fathers invited people from all foreign lands to come here. As our ancestors heeded that call, they came here to live together and stand united by becoming American citizens. 

Inscribed on the Statue of Liberty are the following words:

For many, those were the first English words that greeted them as they passed through the buildings on Ellis Island on their way to pursue their dreams and destiny. Now many years later, as the 2008 presidential campaign progresses, we will hear about hot issues like illegal immigration, but my objective today isn't to express my personal views on the current immigration problem or to debate who is right or wrong as our borders are flooded by people seeking a better way of life. My intention is only to make people aware of an integral part of American history that is in true jeopardy.  Like many other historical places that fall by the wayside to make room for expansion and modernization, Ellis Island now stands in need of our help to preserve its legacy so it can remain forever “the golden door”. Anyone interested in lending a helping hand on their ancestors behalf or who is knee deep in the throes of genealogy research and needs alittle additional help, please visit Save Ellis Island or The Statue Of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.