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Note: In discussion with dad in his later years he mentioned, as best he could remember, that he had imigrated from the town of Rusch in the province of Bocovina. The province capital was Chernovitz or Cherouchi. The year was in the period 1904 to 1906. It was a german ship (steamer that burned coal) and they traveled steerage. Often slept on deck during the 19 to 26 days at sea.
He traveled with his mother and two sisters (Anne and Theresa). They were supposed to travel to Canada but in the spirited bidding for passengers they were instead put on a ship bound for Ellis Island. When she discovered this she stole flatware after each meal. This always impressed dad as his mother was so fair and God fearing.
Upon arrival on Ellis Island, there was no one to greet them. Caroline could speak no english so was at a loss as to what to do in this foreign country. A Russian woman, noticing her plight, befriended them helped to compose and gave her the money to send a telegram.
It took several days for travel to be arranged, meanwhile they stayed on Ellis Island. Joe said he could remember sitting on the stairs and his mother crying.
Her husband did not have the $25 for the train, so he sought it from his brother Henry. He said "...you got them into this problem, you get them out..." He was able to borrow some money from another source.
Joe was always very active in the labor movement. He was initiated into the Plumbers Local Union #51 in 2/24/1936. He was admitted into Steamfitters Union, Local # 235 in 4/1/1942. He filed for pension from Local # 235 on 8/2/1972. (Letter, dated 8/2/1972, signed by Joe R. Duchie to the Executive Board of the Union
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