Tag Archives: Ellis Island

The First Seven Years

Posted on September 1, 2016 by vanbytheriver

“Give me a child for the first seven years, and you may do what you like with him afterwards.” St. Ignatius Loyola. In honor of that belief, I’d like to repost a piece of writing dedicated to the woman who … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Entertainment, Family, Food, Home | Tagged Czechoslovakia, Ellis Island, Immigrants, Jesuit Saying, St.Ignacius Loyola | 85 Comments

I, Immigrant

Posted on December 10, 2015 by vanbytheriver

My mother’s family emigrated from Germany in the 1700’s, from Ireland in the 1800’s, landing in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. My father’s family were among those “huddled masses” of the early 1900’s, escaping eastern Europe for a better … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, History, News, Random Thoughts | Tagged 1700, 1900, Ellis Island, Immigration, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Statue of Liberty, United States | 47 Comments

The Steamer Trunk

Posted on November 12, 2014 by vanbytheriver

After the death of my father, there was very little from my childhood home that I really wanted. The piano I grew up with had already been given away to a small neighborhood church that my grandparents had supported. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Depression, Photography | Tagged 1920's, Chester County, Childhood, Czechoslovakia, Depression, Ellis Island, Farming, Hungary, Immigrants, Pennsylvania, Photo Album, Steamer Trunk | Leave a comment

Moving Van Envy

Posted on October 8, 2014 by vanbytheriver

On two different Ellis Island ship registries from the early 1900’s, it was noted that the nationality for both of my immigrant grandparents was “Magyar”. This could have meant one of two things; that the language they spoke was of … Continue reading →