Don't have any information about searching, but just wanted to say that my husband's grandparents, one set from Lithuania and one from Poland, came to America in about that same time frame.

Ancestry does have free weekends quite often. I tried a weekend & got 1-2 wks free trial. Unfortunately, I didn't know many details so couldn't check very far. I did find the draft papers for both grandfathers.

My grandfather (Ole)had two brothers, Otto and John. When they landed at Ellis Island from Sweden, their last name was Olsson. The clerk at the desk said there were too many Olssons on the ship and to pick out a different name, which they did; the name being a name of a very respected gentleman in Varmland, Sweden. I cannot trace anyone we are related to except for those belonging to Otto and John in the whole United States. I love the story. Edie

Many came through BEFORE Ellis Island was the gateway. Most who came from What we now call Poland changed their spelling of their name. Those from "Poland" , Like my great grandparents Were not living in a "State" called Poland. Poland had been Overtaken by the Russians, Germany and others due to their rebellionious ways. Poland was not reinstated as a "State" until the late 1890s and early 1900s. Getting accurate name spelling is a must. Names are NOT spelled like they sound. Case in point Zo-loft-ski is spelled Zulawski. Good luck. Blessed be.

Both of my grandparents came over from Lithuania and my grandfather's last name was Juracius (or similar, DIL has my notebook) and Ellis Island clerk wrote down Yurashus so that is the name he had to use. They settled in Connecticut. My sister did the research and it has been interesting to read.

Lynnie,

Last summer I purchased a cookbook at a local flea market called "The Ellis Island Immigrant Cookbook". It includes information on Ellis Island and the arrival of Immigrants. It also includes a few letters from Immigrants, as well as family recipes.

You have asked interesting questions. My father-in-law was from Sicily, but I don't ever recall his family talking about how they came here.

A sincere thank you for not only the question asked but also the excellent reply. I have printed the question with links.

My grandfather and his parents came over from Belgium in the early 1900s. Most immigrants came over in steerage as that was the cheapest ticket and all most could afford. Steerage is at the bottom of the boat with no individual rooms. It's an open space used for storage. So people would pick out a spot and try to put up rope or clothesline to mark out a space and get some privacy. Food was horrible, the smell was horrible because there were no provisions usually for people to bath. As the trip went on the air became thick with smoke from people smoking and small lanterns and stoves running on kerosene. Also, being packed in so close together, with people from all ages from babies to the elderly, the atmosphere in steerage was ripe for spreading diseases. In som cased, steerage people could only come on deck at night, as the other passengers did not want to mingle with them. A lot of people died on the the crossing, and those who caught certain diseases were not allowed into the country. they had to stay behind to get better at the hospital and their families had to go on without them. The hope was when they got better they would catch up with the family, if the could. Some ended up being shippped back where the came from. It was not an easy passage.

I wasn't looking for my families history, I was wondering in general.
very interesting facts some of you have relayed to me. I thank you all for your families histories.
Luv quilts and cats, very interesting about the hull of the ship. I doubt people would go through
these hard times now adays. THey were promised streets paved with gold, and got a lot of rocks.
It was interesting to hear from some of you that the 'cruise' only took about 3 weeks. And we
think our mail is slow nowadays. Thank you all for relaying your stories.

I just Googled Origin of name and typed my mother's maiden name and my maiden name. Very interesting. Mostly English on father's side and German on mother's. My cousins are into geneaology and are in clubs andforums. I just contact them with questions.