Your roots

[PhiPsiRuss]

All of my greatgrandparents, and my maternal grandmother came through Ellis Island.

My paternal grandfather's family came from Warsaw, Poland. After coming to America, they settled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. They changed the family name to one that sounded less obviously Polish. My greatgrandfather was born with the first name of Fivel, but died Philip. My grandfather was born Israel, but died Irving.

My paternal grandmother's family came from Russia (Minsk, Belarus.) After coming to America, they also settled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. My father was in the Air Force at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The B-52 on which he served was given one of several final targets. One was Minsk. After 45 hours awake in the air, they landed. My father told his C.O. that his mom's family was from Minsk. It was researched and proven to be true. My father was offered to transfer top MATS, or take an honorable discharge. He took the discharge.

My maternal grandfather's family came from Hungary and Austria. They settled in Yorkville, New York, NY.

My maternal grandmother's family left Austria when she was 4 years old (two generations before, they fled Russia for Austria.) They walked from Austria to Denmark (I think) in 1917. They then took a ship, 4th class, to America where they met up with my greatgrandfather who had been in America for several years. In Ellis Island, my greataunt Janette was a sickly 17 year old girl. They managed to conceal her illness for the days that it took to get through the system. It took days because the Irish employees (also immigrants) on Ellis Island were not able to pronounce my family's name in a way that was understandable to my greatgrandfather. Those days were terrifying and full of fear. They also settled in Williamsburg. The Austrian town that they left was completely destroyed in WWII.

I don't feel any connection to any of the nations from where my ancestors came. I consider myself to be 100% Ashkenazi Jewish in decent, and 100% American in nationality.

ETA fixed spelling