The trauma of forced migration is not only detrimental for the victims themselves, but can overcast subsequent generations as well. This article examines the role of the family narrative in the case of Polish deportees and their descendants. Drawing upon Aleida and Jan Assmann's concepts of communicative and cultural memory, I address how the development of self-construction and identity of the second generation was impeded by their parents' difficulties to verbalize a traumatic past. I argue

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... at aside from the communicative memory, the cultural memory of this group was affected as well as their experiences of victimization were politically and socially not recognized.