My maternal grandparents emigrated in 1921 and came through Ellis Island. Their names are on a plaque there. My grandmother had 10 children starting in 1922 with the last one being born in 1945. (My aunt is only three years older than I am.) One child died at the age of 12. Another aunt and uncle have died. So seven (including my mother) are still living. They grew up in a house that was one room wide, with a living room, dining room, and kitchen all in a line. The bathroom started out in the back yard, but eventually was moved (with a metal tub) into the basement. Upstairs there were two bedrooms, one for the parents and one for the kids. They hung a curtain down the middle of the kids' room with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. My grandfather worked in a steel factory (and dug graves at the church), my grandmother cleaned houses. My mother always refers to my heritage as "sturdy peasant stock." No kidding.
ETA:
NJ, if you don't mind, I'd love to hear some others' stories about their parents and grandparents and the values, family legends, accomplishments and stuff that are part of their family lore. (With identifying details kept out, of course.)
My grandmother had 10 children starting in 1922 with the last one being born in 1945. (My aunt is only three years older than I am.) One child died at the age of 12. Another aunt and uncle have died. So seven (including my mother) are still living. They grew up in a house that was one room wide, with a living room, dining room, and kitchen all in a line. The bathroom started out in the back yard, but eventually was moved (with a metal tub) into the basement. Upstairs there were two bedrooms, one for the parents and one for the kids. They hung a curtain down the middle of the kids' room with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. My grandfather worked in a steel factory (and dug graves at the church), my grandmother cleaned houses. My mother always refers to my heritage as "sturdy peasant stock." 
No kidding. 