Fraternity-Testvériség, 2001 (79. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2001-04-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY Page 19 Branch 501 - Metuchen, New Jersey A Film to look out for: Ellis Island Archives, a Treasure Box of Heritage A few months ago, the eagerly anticipated American Family Immigration History Center, otherwise known as the Ellis Island Archives went on line. This was made possible through the efforts of very many dedicated volunteers who transcribed the Immigrant Arrival Manifests. Over 22 million passengers and crewmembers entered Ellis Island and the Port of New York between the years 1892-1924. In the Passenger Record Archives can be found much information pertaining to the Immigrant by just simply typing in a name. The city of origin is listed, age and whether married or single. One very exciting part of the Ellis Island Website is being able to view the original Immigration Manifests as can be done at the National Archives. This is a wonderful feature because it gives the name and address of a relative or acquaintance at their final destination, which may be a clue to other family members. For me, it was the answer to my prayers. For many years, I have searched for the arrival record of my paternal grandmother, Teresia Komjati Hudak. Information on microfilm from Soundex Arrivals was just not legible enough to help me locate her. When this vast electronic archives went on line in April of 2001, with a simple click of the mouse, Grandmother’s name appeared on the Ship’s Manifest, having arrived December 18, 1905 on the SS Pretoria with a final destination of Buffalo, NY to her husband Hudak Miklós. My grandparents eventually went to Sharon, Pa. where my father was bom in 1908. I am very proud to have had all our ancestors come to America from Hungary through Ellis Island. The memories that they have shared with me will long endure. Family members’ names are in the process of being inscribed on the Immigrant Wall of Honor, and honor it is indeed. Margaret Pauli, Branch Manager St. George District Br. 501, 502 & HRFA Br. 250 732-549-4898 mmpaull@castle.net “An American Rhapsody” In the darkest days of the Cold War, a Hungarian family sacrifices wealth and privilege to escape to the West and gain freedom from Communist repression. Amid the chaos of their late-night border crossing, their youngest child is left behind. They go on to build a new life in America, while in the old country, a peasant family raises Suzanne as if she were their own. Suzanne’s true mother never stops fighting to bring her to America, and after five years of persistence she wins her fight. Suzanne comes to America, getting off the plane in a brave new 1950s world, greeted by people she’s never met who say they are her parents. As Suzanne grows to be a rebellious teenager, she must deal directly with the mystery of her past. Only by going back to Hungary, by crossing the border once again, on her own terms, is she able to find herself and to find her true home. An American Rhapsody comes straight from the heart of writer-director Eva Gardos who makes her feature film debut with this moving story based on her own experiences coming to America. Gardos reanimates her parents’ daring escape from the Communist Hungary, which was incredibly dangerous. Her family was almost captured and she, as an infant, was left behind the Iron Curtain. “All of us try to forget the painful moments of childhood,” admits the writer-director. Yet, Gardos “pushed herself to the very edge” to open the safety valve to let her story out to the people. A deeply personal tale, An American Rhapsody will feel familiar to anyone who has ever felt lost, who has ever felt abandoned, who has ever wondered what home really means. An American Rhapsody stars Natassja Kinski, Tony Goldwyn and Scarlett Johannson. It is written and directed by Eva Gardos and produced by Colleen Camp and Bonnie Timmermann. The film is executive produced by Andrew Vajna and Jay Firestone. Peter Hoffman and Seven Arts / Fireworks present the film. A Paramount Classics production the “An American Rhapsody ” opens in the United States on August 10th. Teresia Komiati Hudak
