One of the more interesting facts I uncovered was my grandmother’s hospital stay upon arrival at Ellis Island in August 1922. I first learned about this from the story my mother told me over 20 years ago,when I first began researching my family’s history–that my grandmother was suspected to have tuberculosis (she did not–she suffered from asthma most of her life). I then saw a notation “hospital discharged” on the passenger list. Then, I found her listed on a “Record of Detained Aliens.”
Of course it’s a relief to know that my grandmother was eventually released. Had she not been released, and perhaps even sent back, it’s pretty likely I would not be here today!
Copyright 2010 Lisa A. Alzo