Dorothy Vallerio
Joined: 12 Mar 2014
Replies: 1
Location: cheltenham, PennsylvaniaBack to top |
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 7:23 am
Post subject:
I have been doing research for many years and have found almost everything I searched for, except. My Grandfather Jan Paluch. I know he was known to my grandmother's family in Poland. The story goes that he saw my grandmother working in the field and told her that he was going somewhere and when he came back they would be married. However, I think rather than go back for her, he sent for her.
I know my grandmother came here January 1, 1899. I know she went to an Aunt {Zeidel) in Mt. Pleasant, PA. I know she, Lucia Czuchra and Jan Paluch were married July 23, 1899 in Mt. Pleasant, PA. I know they lived in Whitney, PA and had three children. I believe he worked in the Hostetter Mines. One of the Zeidels was Godfather to one of the children.
My Grandmother went back to Poland sometime after 1904, and took the three children with her and she remained there. I know my Grandfather also went back, and built a home for them. (they subsequently had three more children) but he came to America again in 1911. That is documented on Ellis Island. He went to the Zeidels in Latrobe.
My problem: I cannot find his initial entrance into the USA. I had read somewhere that the mine owners frequently sent agents into the Austria-Hungarian portion of Poland to recruit miners. I was wondering if they were able to bring the miners into the country without passports and not through immigration. Does anyone know anything about this process, or have any suggestions where I may go to find out.
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dnowickiPO Top Contributor
Joined: 28 Dec 2011
Replies: 2950
Location: Michigan City, IndianaBack to top |
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:52 am
Post subject:
Dorothy,
Immigrants to the USA prior to WWI didn't actually need a passport to enter the country. Prior to the opening of the first immigration station administered by the Federal Government at Ellis Island in 1892 the entry of immigrants was administered by the individual states. (Castle Garden, the immigration station in New York prior to the opening of Ellis Island, was administered by the State of New York.) Even after the opening of Ellis Island immigrants continued to enter the US through other ports such as New Orleans, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, etc. A large number of immigrants from Poland came through Baltimore rather than New York. The Federal requirements for entry into the US were rather basic. The act of 1891 required that an immigrant pass a medical exam (no contagious disease) and not have a criminal record. After 1903 anarchists, subversives and polygamists were also to be excluded. Other than that, an immigrant needed to demonstrate that he or she had a ticket and/or sufficient funds to reach their final destination in the US and needed to name the person to whom they were going in America.
Searching for immigrant arrivals through ports other than New York is not as simple as looking for manifests from Ellis Island. Access to those immigration records also frequently requires a paid subscription. A good place to start would be "One-step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse" (stevemorse.org) which provides links to various immigration lists and documents.
Wishing you success,
Dave
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MDuplagaPO Top Contributor
Joined: 21 Jun 2010
Replies: 103
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:02 pm
Post subject: Research in the USA & other countries
Dorothy,
Have you ever heard of the J.S. Paluch Company--They print most all the Bulletins for the Catholic Parishes in California that I know of and perhaps in other states too?
MaryAnne
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 5:30 pm
Post subject:
Dorothy,
Your grandfather's marriage license lists him as John Paluk with a birth of 1870. On ellisisland.org, I found a Johann Polek arriving 4-12-1892 in NY. He was 23. There is no information as to where this John was headed, but the age is close.
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sirdanPO Top Contributor
Joined: 07 Mar 2012
Replies: 304
Location: ** Southeast Pole**Back to top |
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