About this archive

What this is

American Descendants of Refugees is a community archive that documents the lives of people whose families arrived in the United States as refugees. Each profile tells two stories: the ancestor who crossed a border to reach safety, and the descendant who carries that history forward today.

Our profiles include teachers, doctors, engineers, artists, and people from every walk of life - connected by a shared history of displacement and resilience. Refugee stories are part of the American story, and this archive exists to make that visible.

Why we built it

Refugee histories are frequently overlooked in broader narratives of immigration. The names and journeys of those who fled persecution, war, and hardship are often passed down only within families - or lost entirely across generations.

This archive is a place to preserve those names. It is not a database or a genealogy tool. It is closer to a collection of short biographies - human stories written to be read, not just searched.

Who can contribute

Anyone who is a descendant of a refugee who came to the United States is welcome to submit a profile. Your ancestor may have arrived at any point in history, from any country, under any circumstances - what matters is the story.

Every submission is reviewed by an editor before it is published. We may reach out with questions or suggestions before your profile goes live.

What we look for in a story

Please briefly identify yourself - your occupation and where you live. Feel free to hyperlink your professional webpage or LinkedIn profile using the Link button.

Please note your relationship to your refugee ancestor(s) (e.g., grandchild, great-grandchild).

Then tell us your refugee ancestor's story - where did they come from, why did they leave, when did they arrive, and what were the circumstances of their journey to the United States? Feel free to conclude with a sentence or two about what your ancestor's journey means to you personally.

Write in your own voice. The goal is a short, human story - not a formal biography.