Frances Rademacher

Becoming America Frances Rademacher

BECOMING AMERICA is the story of some of the first German immigrants to East Bristol, WI, just northwest of Madison, in 1846. Based on true stories, this book was written as a resource for storytellers and teachers, an inspiration to middle grade students, especially immigrants, and as a source of amazement for the descendants of the immigrant families of East Bristol/Sun Prairie/DeForest, WI! The tale begins in Schneeberg, Bavaria, progresses across the Atlantic Ocean in a ship that sets sail from Rotterdam, Holland, lands in the Port of New York, and finally ends in the farmlands of Wisconsin. America is always growing, maturing, changing, and just as immigrants become Americans, so too do immigrants and their descendants help America to become America. We hope that the students and families who read these stories will take away that same sense of resiliency, hope, faith and optimism that typifies the American people. And the sense of "Gemuetlichkeit" as demonstrated by the Wisconsin pioneers, who so enthusiastically welcomed new families into their community. We also hope that hearing these stories will encourage readers and listeners to compile their own family and community stories!