Magyar News, 1994. szeptember-1995. augusztus (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1995-03-01 / 7. szám

The Laskay family at Dorothy Laskay and Edward D’ Amato's wedding in 1959. To the left of the bride are Charles and Bessie Laskay

became the village library in Easton

3F A HOME

Charles Laskay, Sr. kay D’ Amato

The Laskay sisters. Second from left is Dotty D’ Amato

it was here that her name was translated as Bessie Terhes. A friend from the long journey with the same first name had been translated Barbara.

At Ellis Island, because she had been sponsored by her sister, Bessie was put on a train to Bridgeport. Arriving at the train station, she looked about expectantly for her sister. She waited along time searching the crowds for the familiar face of Julia Bordás (Bordash). And then— she thought she heard her name— yes, it was clear now, “Bessie Terhes, are you here?”

“Yes—yes! I’m here!” she called excitedly. A man stepped before her— his face all blackened with soot— he had come straight from his job at the factory and quickly apologized for being late in meeting her. She was to learn later that he was Lance Boros, her sister’s brother-in-law. That evening the neighbors gathered bringing food and pastries— a violinist came and they all danced and were merry. That night, Bessie thanked God as her head sank deep into her pillow. She knew that she had done a good thing— she had made a good decision to come to America.

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had been sold and Grandma and Borbála were to live with Grandma’s son, what had been her pay— what would be her share? B orbála ’ s sister had married and gone a few years earlier to America. Borbála knew this is what she must do.

And so it was that Borbála, on a frosty morning in late November, would go by ship, “The Breman,” clad in a beautiful white lacy blouse and pleated shirt, full length fitted coat custom sewn for her by a seamstress and high button shoes cut and fashioned for her by a shoemaker. At least, they had given her enough for First Class passage to America. Her trip would take about 2 weeks.

Finally one morning in December, 1913, the Statue of Liberty could be sighted in the distance. Borbálacould feel the heart within her pound. Could this be true; was this really happening! What would her new life in America be like? What could she dare to hope? Her cheeks were flushed as she descended the gangplank at Ellis Island, and

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