How did our family come to America? Thomas Spillane came from Ireland in 1800’s. He met a woman from Iowa and eventually they moved to Chicago. They had a son Richard Spillane who was raised by priests in an orphanage because Thomas died and there was no money. Richard was in the printing business and worked in Chicago (picture in email). Richard had a son Richard Jr which is my great great grandfather. He was in World War 2 and was a Chicago Firefighter. He was at the Our Lady of Angel’s fire. Richard and Virginia had two children one of which is my mom’s grandmother. This is how we ended up in America. On my dad’s side of the family, his paternal grandparents and uncles moved here from Lithuania.
Why did you name me what you did and how did you feel when I was born? I was named Rebecca because my mom and dad liked the name. Ann was chosen for my middle name because it was both of my Grandmother’s middle names. When I was born, my parents were so happy and excited to have another little girl. I cried so loud in the nursery that I got the other babies crying too. The nurses asked for me to stay in the room instead. As soon as my mom held me, I would stop crying. My mom said I was the sweetest baby and that I was so beautiful.
Where any family members in the war? My great great Grandfather Richard Spillane was in World War 2 and my grandfather Raymond Madison was in Vietnam War.
Family heritage? From my dad’s side I’m half Lithuanian. One particular food that the family still makes and enjoys today is Kugeli. (Potatoes, cheese, bacon, onion) My dad’s moms side is from Germany, Hungary; Austrian, Swedish. My great, great, great grandma died in a concentration camp. My mom’s mother’s side is from Ireland. And my mom’s dad’s side is from Denmark, Germany and Native American South Dakota Oglala Sioux.
Did anyone in my family go to college and where did my parents meet? My mom and Dad are the first generation to go to college. They also met in college.
What hospital was I born in? I was born in the Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village.
Did everyone in our family keep our religion? Yes all our family is Catholic and still practice that faith today.
Was it difficult to have me around when I was little? My mom said that I was always been easy to be around. She also said that I was the peace keeper and was always sweet to everyone around her.
Was their racism when mom was growing up? Yes, my mom grew up in Oak Lawn and everyone was white. She didn’t go to school with people from other ethnicity. Her grandparents and parents were racist and believed that if black people moved into her neighborhood that house values would go down. My mom love that we live in a diverse area and that this generation is learning to judge people for individuals and not by the color of their skin.
What is our economic history? My mom and dad grew up with not much money with very hard working parents. We now have more money than we grew up with and able to join sports and other activities. They still work hard for their money and usually don’t have any extra money but we are able to enjoy many things in life such as movies, going out to dinner and some travel.
Why did you name me what you did and how did you feel when I was born? I was named Rebecca because my mom and dad liked the name. Ann was chosen for my middle name because it was both of my Grandmother’s middle names. When I was born, my parents were so happy and excited to have another little girl. I cried so loud in the nursery that I got the other babies crying too. The nurses asked for me to stay in the room instead. As soon as my mom held me, I would stop crying. My mom said I was the sweetest baby and that I was so beautiful.
Where any family members in the war? My great great Grandfather Richard Spillane was in World War 2 and my grandfather Raymond Madison was in Vietnam War.
Family heritage? From my dad’s side I’m half Lithuanian. One particular food that the family still makes and enjoys today is Kugeli. (Potatoes, cheese, bacon, onion) My dad’s moms side is from Germany, Hungary; Austrian, Swedish. My great, great, great grandma died in a concentration camp. My mom’s mother’s side is from Ireland. And my mom’s dad’s side is from Denmark, Germany and Native American South Dakota Oglala Sioux.
Did anyone in my family go to college and where did my parents meet? My mom and Dad are the first generation to go to college. They also met in college.
What hospital was I born in? I was born in the Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village.
Did everyone in our family keep our religion? Yes all our family is Catholic and still practice that faith today.
Was it difficult to have me around when I was little? My mom said that I was always been easy to be around. She also said that I was the peace keeper and was always sweet to everyone around her.
Was their racism when mom was growing up? Yes, my mom grew up in Oak Lawn and everyone was white. She didn’t go to school with people from other ethnicity. Her grandparents and parents were racist and believed that if black people moved into her neighborhood that house values would go down. My mom love that we live in a diverse area and that this generation is learning to judge people for individuals and not by the color of their skin.
What is our economic history? My mom and dad grew up with not much money with very hard working parents. We now have more money than we grew up with and able to join sports and other activities. They still work hard for their money and usually don’t have any extra money but we are able to enjoy many things in life such as movies, going out to dinner and some travel.