Hi, Sandy: Well, my grandfather was very tightlipped about his past, but since he'd quarreled with his family that was understandable. A number of people, though, have told me they experienced roadblocks in getting information from their immigrant grandparents, etc., where there was no known break with the family. I think one of the things that is operating here is that there was tremendous pressure to Americanize as quickly as possible. Also, for many people, perhaps it was too painful for them to remember and/or talk about their past. Going back was not an option they wanted to explore, or perhaps could explore. Jill ---------- > From: Sandra Rozhon <srozhon@CYBERDRIVE.NET> > To: GEN-SLAVIC@MAIL.EWORLD.COM > Subject: Why were immigrants so secretive? > Date: Monday, April 07, 1997 2:16 PM > > A number of people I know have had similar experiences with getting > any information from immigrants who came over to the U.S. near the > end of the last century. These immigrants were always prone to > silence when it came to talking about their experiences, families, > etc. Was there something going on in Poland, Bohemia, and Lithuania > in the 1890's that made these people afraid to talk? Were they > afraid they would get someone in trouble? Were THEY the ones they > thought would get in trouble? I'd like to know what made these > immigrants so tight-lipped about their origins. > > Sandy > > > Sandra Rozhon <srozhon@cybergate.net> > > Searching: > ROZHON, WANICKI, MYCZKOWSKI, HORWATH, JEMIOLA, KAPUSTA > JASKOVE, SYKORY, VANECKA, JASKA, DUBEC > Bojesice, Mirovice, Vystrkov, Ostrov, Rakovice, Zalozany, Zebrakov, Zahorany (BOHEMIA) > Skalat & Mielec, Przemysl Noi Miasto (POLAND) > Sapiergiskis, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Memel (LITHUANIA)