Immigration -- Ellis Island: The Hunt for Alois Hanousek
No one in my family knew much about Alois Hanousek, my great-grandfather. We knew that he immigrated to the United States in the 1890s. We also knew he came from or near a town in the Czech Republic called Kutna Hora. My family once went to Kutna Hora in search of information. We came home empty-handed.
So far, we had very little information to go on. Both my grandparents on that side of the family have passed away. My father, who is an only child, never knew his grandfather. My sister Rebekah and I were determined to fill in the blank space on our family tree. So we set out to Ellis Island in New York City. Most immigrants arrived there from 1892 to 1954. We hoped they would have the records we needed to learn more about our family history.
To get there, we took a ferry from Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. The ferry sailed past the impressive Statue of Liberty. I imagined how my great-grandfather must have felt when he first saw the majestic lady with the golden torch. Minutes later, we arrived at Ellis Island. I walked in the doors, and you could feel the history. The museum had photographs of immigrants everywhere. Some looked weary from their long voyage. Others looked excited. Still others looked sad. As we walked around the building, you could see all the things people brought with them. There was colorful clothing from every part of the world. There were also religious items and family treasures, such as musical instruments. I imagined that these things made it easier to be a stranger in a strange, new land.
Millions of immigrants were processed at Ellis Island. They were given medical exams and reading tests. They were asked countless personal questions, including: “Who paid for your voyage?” “How much money do you have in your possession?” “Do you have more than one wife?” Not everyone got in. Those who were too unhealthy were sent back. Some families were split up, and had to say goodbye to each other in tears.
Eventually, my sister and I arrived at the research center. We sat down at a computer and began searching the records of ship after ship looking for our great-grandfather. At first, we found nothing. Then, my sister had an idea. She began doing searches on names like Yanousek, Lanousek, and Canousek. That is when I saw it! My great-grandfather’s name. It was written as “Canousek.” It had been spelled incorrectly at Ellis Island. After viewing the ship’s records, I could see how the mistake was made. What does it look like to you?
Here is some of the information we got from the document.
Alois was 31 and single when he arrived on April 2, 1898.
He was on a ship named the H.H. Keier.
He was a farmer.
He had $6 on him.
He was coming to live with his sisters.
He was from Cervene Pesky, a town just outside Kutna Hora.
My sister and I were thrilled. It looks like we will be making another trip to the Czech Republic!
Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.
it was difficult for the author and Rebekah to find information about their great-grandfather in Kutna Hora, they found some information about him at Ellis Island.
