In June of 1906, my maternal great-grandfather became a naturalized American citizen in US District Court, Brooklyn, New York.
Moritz Farkas (1857-1936) was born on July 3d in the small country village of Botpalad, Hungary. He arrived at Ellis Island in August of 1899, aged 42, having been financially ruined when a hail storm wiped out his uninsured crops. Moritz became a tailor (and cloak maker) in New York City.
His wife Lena Kunstler Farkas (1865-1938) came through Ellis Island a year later, followed by their eight oldest children (four at a time, in 1901 and 1903). Counting the 3 children born in New York, Moritz and Lena had a total of 11 children.
My great-grandpa Moritz was eager to become a US citizen and he achieved this important goal only days before his 49th birthday. On the reverse side of his naturalization index card, officials noted that he had formerly been a subject of the Emperor of Austria and the King of Hungary.
Now, thanks to a hail storm, and Moritz's urgent need to start over in New York City, I can celebrate America 250 and remember this immigrant great-grandpa with affection and gratitude.
You must be very thankful that the hail storm happened! Your family's story would be very different if it hadn't.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate that Moritz was able to afford the passenger ticket to start his family's chain migration to the United States. One of the many specific events that led to you becoming you!
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