I’ve been struggling to find reasons why I should celebrate the 4th of July this year.  Since such a large part of our ancestral family immigrated to our shores AFTER the initial July 4th in 1776, why do we celebrate?  

From 1790 to 1906 if you immigrated to America and you wished to be a citizen, there was a process that was followed.  First you had to declare intent of citizenship.  These papers are often referred to as “First Papers”.  They could be filed any time after the immigrant arrived.  In this declaration the immigrant would renounce allegiance to foreign governments and that they had resided in the country long enough to apply for citizenship (2 years from 1790-1795, 5 years from 1795-1798, 14 years from 1798 to 1802, and 5 years from 1802 to present).

Next came “Final Papers”.  After you had filed your intent of citizenship and had resided the required number of years, you could petition the court to become a citizen usually at your towns closest court.  After all the requirements were completed, the immigrant was then sworn in as a citizen and issued a Certificate of Citizenship.  Easy Peasy now you’re a Citizen of the United States.  

And while many could and did relish celebrating American holidays, I wonder if the Bourscheidts, especially Peter ever missed what they gave up.  While I know they went to German Catholic Mass and enjoyed a large community of Germans in and around Peoria, did they ever miss any German celebrations?  

For the Bourscheidt’s celebrating the 4th of July meant celebrating at Uncle Paul and Aunt Florence’s Peaceful Acres.  In 1951 there was a large group of family gathered to celebrate with them.  

The person who wrote on the back of this photo was unsure of who some in this photo are, but they have identified the following.  In the first row we have; Regina (Bourscheidt, wife of Norbert), Mary, Ed, Aunt Florence, Betty, Norbert holding Mike & Randy and an unknown lady behind him, our Jean holding I believe Rita,  then Joyce holding a child, the next identified person is Joan holding Pamela and then there’s our Lois holding a child and Hank on the end.  

In the second row we have Uncle Paul, Geraldine, Aunt Betty, Charles Helen and Rita Bourscheidt.  

In the third row is Paul, Uncle Oscar, Aunt Clara, someone unknown, then our Frank Burd and next to him our Ann Burd then an unknown person, Felix, Aunt Marie, then an unknown person Milton, Barb several unknowns and Ann Bourscheidt, another unknown, Uncle Fred, Aunt Sally unknown person, Norbert Sr., Unknown, Rita, Uncle Al and Aunt Gertrude. 

For them July 4th meant family time, fun and yes celebrating the United States of America.  May we all have a reason to celebrate tomorrow, whether it’s celebrating the colonies independence from England or being together as a family, may we all have a fabulous Fourth of July.