This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Mixed nationality family flees violence across continents to seek asylum
The Mutonji family recounts a perilous trek from Congo and Angola to Brazil and Central America, funded by hardship and discrimination. They describe separations, clashes with authorities, and a long aim to stay together as Sarah and Grady endure uncertain fates in Chicago before reuniting in Cedar Rapids.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Grady
Sarah
Central America
United States
Democratic Republic of Congo
Angola
Marie-Louise Mutonji
Mamy
Papy Kikongo
Maravilha
Samantha
Maurice
United Nations Refugee Agency
Papy
Mutanji
Gazette
Lingala
Congo
Mutonji
Kikongo
Kinshasa
Brazil
Baby Maurice
Glady Mutonji
Ecuador
Costa