JimTedrick@aol.com wrote: > > My gr. grandfather Gajo Kukic (44) came from Goricka through Trieste in > February 1913 to Ellis and his son Stojsa 15 and a half (16 on the manifest) > through Bremen in November 1913. I have read that even though war had not > formally started that there were hostlities in the part of the wourld where > they came from. I wonder if they were avoiding military service in any way? > They left their wife/mother behind and as far as I know never made it back. > Jim Jim, Just a thought Believe military conscription was between ages 18-45 with 3 years active service followed by a reserve (militia) commitment. It is strange that your gr. GF would travel 130 miles from Goric^ka to Trieste, so he could sail down the Adriatic Sea (450 miles ?) then around the boot of Italy and across the Mediterranean Sea and only then across the Atlantic Ocean to NYC. While his son traveled 646 miles (probably by train) from Goric^ka to Bremen, Germany and then sailed across the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean to NYC. Perhaps it was just a question of cheaper ship fare ?