Fryer Pedigree
The United States of America in the past two hundred years has grown to be a
cultural and diverse society. Americans have put aside bigotry, ethnocentrism, and
scapegoats, for the most part, to allow nationalities and religions live and roam as they
please. Every nationality has a story of how they came to America; every family also has
an interesting past. My families’ story begins in Ukraine.
My great grandfather and my great grandmother on my mother’s side of the
family both were from Ukraine. My great-grandmother was Helen Kostyk and my great
grandfather was Michael Rodio. They got married in Europe and in 1907 decided to
come to the United States (Ambridge) due to the poor, unstable conditions and lack of
government. Upon their arrival, my great grandfather founded Saint Peter and Paul
Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ambridge which still stands tall today. They both endured
hardships, assimilating was not easy. Both of them held on to the church for companions
and desperately tried to learn a bit of simple English to survive. Since the Industrial
Revolution was on the rise, my great grandfather found a job at the mills down by the
Ohio River. It did not pay much, but the job gave the two of them food on the table.
Although life at first seemed unbearable and difficult, the Ukrainian traditions still
lived on. The hymns and carols at Christmas to the hollow beautifully painted eggs at
Easter. The paska bread with halushki, cabasi, and sausage all made Easter dinner
complete. They both kept their faith too. Everyday they would attend church and tried to
spread their beliefs to others.
All of my great grandparents’ traditions were told and practiced by my
grandmother, my mother, and now myself. Those traits are what make my culture unique,
as well as others too. Everyone has a journey that leads to who they are now. Some
different and harder than others, but all are together as one.
Rachel Fryer
Mr. Kelly,
Since I have little contact and knowledge of my dad’s background, it was difficult
for me to piece together any little information I could. My mother’s father also passed
away at a young age and most of her side never knew much about him. I just wanted to
explain to you the situation. Thank you.