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Many of us had ancestors who at one time made the decision to leave their towns and villages throughout Europe to come to America. They were fleeing poverty, famine, religious persecution, bleak futures without education, pogroms and more. We know they sailed from various ports along the Atlantic, most likely in steerage class. Thousands landed at Ellis Island. Have you ever asked yourself… “How did they travel hundreds of miles over land to get from their towns to various ports such as Antwerp, Belgium, (a major port of debarkation) and what was sailing in steerage really like?” Often, our ancestors never spoke of this part of the arduous journey.

Let’s take a journey with Leah back to that very “turn of the century” experience.

MEET Leah’s maternal Grandmother, as Leah describes her ancestor’s journey which was so much like the experiences of countless other “turn of the 20th century” emigrants

SEE appropriate slides and hear information accumulated from 5 major research institutions, including the Red Star Line Museum of Immigration in Antwerp, Belgium

LEARN details about why citizens of various countries decided to leave, the strict examination process in Antwerp and lesser-known facts about conditions on Ellis Island, circa 1900

Leah Kaplan has presented in person to enthusiastic audiences in Manhattan, Sarasota FL, Savannah GA and Waterford CT and virtually to audiences throughout the U.S. and beyond. She has done research at 5 institutions and collected family oral histories. She is sharing this journey with us through the love of her ancestors and the connection we all have to our own ancestors. What others have to say: . . . “fantastic, brought tears to my eyes”. . . . “reminds me of all the stories I heard about my own grandparents coming here” . . . “Loved it!” . . . “Now I understand why my grandmother said she got married ‘right off the boat!” . . . “Thanks Leah, well researched, beautifully told.”

Please join us for this intimate presentati