Ellis Island Records & Ship Photos

I found my grandfather's right away, but was confused because there were two records. That turned out to be because he came the first time unmarried, returned to Poland, and returned a second time after marrying. According to census records, he went to live with my great-aunt, Sophia. His first arrival was May 6, 1906, on the Ship Pretoria, which sailed from Hamburg. The second trip he sailed on the Rotterdam, from Rotterdam, arriving on November 17, 1913. This record showed that he was from Arbenowitze, Russia. This city corresponds to the city on his death certificate (spelling slightly different). I formerly believed this city is now in Belarus and is called Baranowitze, but we have found evidence that it is now Charbinowice, Charbinnice or Sokolina in Poland. My grandmother's record was more difficult to locate. Her name was spelled with a "Y", which sounds like the Polish "J". She arrived with my Aunt Helen, who was two years old at the time. They arrived on the Nieuw Amstardam on June 2, 1914 from Rotterdam. This record claims she was from Tarnouzek, Austria, but should read Tarnobrzeg. This part of Poland was occupied by Austria at the time.

Nieuw Amsterdam	Pretoria	Rotterdam