My great grandparents came through Ellis Island, although my great grandfather got here with his brother two years before my great grandmother, my grandmother and great uncle. They went to work in Jackson, CA in the coal mines. He saved up to get the family over here. Both men died within years from black lung. Something no one mentioned yet is the Americanizing of names. Mara became Mary. Daniça became Dorothy, Jovan became John or Jerry, etc.This was another requirement, besides learning English.
My great grandparents came through Ellis Island, although my great grandfather got here with his brother two years before my great grandmother, my grandmother and great uncle. They went to work in Jackson, CA in the coal mines. He saved up to get the family over here. Both men died within years from black lung. Something no one mentioned yet is the Americanizing of names. Mara became Mary. Daniça became Dorothy, Jovan became John or Jerry, etc.This was another requirement, besides learning English.