Minhagim

Question

Dear Rav Abadi, I come from a Persian community in Great Neck. Back in Iran the community have adopted some Ashkenazi customs, like refreaining from eating some kitniot, even though we are Sephardic. Now I wanted to know how seriously should these customs be taken? And what if different families had different customs. Would that give me the choice to follow what I please or do I follow the majority opinion or do I follow what my father did? Thank you & Chag Sameach