I have Roma (Gypsy) Ancestry and my Mother is ashamed of our blood.

i'm sorry your mother is ashamed. I'd take it upon yourself to learn about it now that you know. My family never taught me much about my ancestrial background but now that i'm older I can explore it on my own. And theres no reason to be ashamed of ANY heritage!

your history sound like everything most folks is not. exciting, interesting and romantic! i would be proud of that and i think you are lucky! you need to get as much info from your grandpa and be proud!

I have a very simular story for you to listen to. My father is half so I am a quarter. He always told me to be careful who I told because some people who do not know alot about Gypsy look down on it. So I never told anyone until I got older and even them people would look at me funny. I married a wonderful man who does not approve of that part of my blood, but I am on a mission to show him all the great things about it. If you have any suggestions on web sites or books please let me know. You are not alone at all. My sister feels the same way and wants to embrace this culture and learn from it. Thanks!

i am a gypsy from many generations most of which are not recorded,i dont blame your mother for keeping the fact you are a gypsy as she has her reasons, it is not easy for gypsys to get along in settled life from an early age i was told to keep quiet but i told what i thought was my best mate at school then it started should have kept quiet mum knew best!

I have a very similiar story, yet a little different. I am full- blooded gypsy, but was taken away from my parents when I was 3 years old. I lived the American lifestyle and did not know of the culture or its language. Growing up I was always told that I was gypsy, but knew very little about it. As I got older, I started researching it and later found out that much that is written about gypsies is 90% wrong. At the age of 20, I found my biological parents and an introduction to the gypsy life. At first, I did not like it, the gypsy life seemed to strict for me and my parents and I would fight alot. In time, I learned and have learned the language and the culture. Though at times, I get embarassed speaking the language because I think I sound funny or afraid the other gome will make fun of me. i have to admit that I do not tell people that I am gypsy because of the racial slander it may bring. Just give it time and you will find out who you are.

Why is she ashamed of that? So have I and I don't care although I had a terrible childhood because of that. Be who you are and be proud of it. People are different which is, according to me, a good thing. Roma are "hated" because they don't fit in and stick together. Many countries refuse to give them an ID so no jobs, which means you have to find other ways to stay alive (lot of criminals by now). Roma don't care about school/education, they live by other rules, have their own laws. The Roma always been used as slaves by other (european) people and they are still not accepted. The underdog. There are plenty of gypsies (not only called Roma) who live in houses now, fit in, do visit school, are high educated and don't steal but if they will ever be accepted I doubt. Human being does need someone to kick at.

Its a sad thing that Gypsy/Roma people have been treated so badly throughout history and are still looked upon as outsiders in many countrys creating the shame that your mother feels about the family I wish you all the best in searching for your heritage, We have some native american blood as well as a splash or Rom From a couple of very naughty ladies in my mothers blood line, as far as finding out information of where their childrens fathers were from we hit brick walls from both sides. Our Family trying to sweep that little indescretion under the carpert and theres not wanting to know about it.

I am sorry your mother did not teach you more about your hertitage. She most likely grew up at a bad time and suffered because of who she was. May those who caused her to be ashamed of who she was suffer for what they did! Be proud of who you are! I have often wished I was a Gypsy, and even thought at times of my life, i must have Gypsy blood in me. But sadly, after tracing my family tree back, it just wasn't true! But something inside of me tells me, I am Gypsy at Heart! Stay Proud Gypsy Girl!!! Nocturnica