Family Finds Long-Awaited Link to the Past

June 22, 2004 -- A long-awaited trip to see a name engraved in steel gave the Greeman family what they were looking for at last: a profound link to their past.

Along the "wall of honor" at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York are some of the names of the millions of immigrants who landed there at the turn of the century. Among them was Jenny Greeman's paternal great-great-grandfather.

"I find it so interesting and emotional, and I wanted to share everything that I found out about our family with the people I love," said Greeman, a New York woman who sought out her family roots at Ellis Island.

For Jenny, those loved ones include her mom Julie, her cousin Tim and his daughter, Rachel.

But these hallowed grounds have an even deeper significance for Jenny and her mother.

Parallel Lives

"My grandmother was an immigrant from Poland, and she became an actress and folk singer," Jenny Greeman said. "And what's very exciting for me is that I am now a performer myself. My grandmother passed away in October and we were very close and being here makes me feel very close because I am sort of being who she was," added Greeman, who is an actress.

Her mother was equally moved at the photographs of immigrants, carrying bags that contained everything they owned.

"When I walked in and I saw those pictures with all the bags, that just did it for me," Julie Greeman said. "It sounds corny, but it makes me feel close to my roots I think."

Ellis Island was the gateway to freedom for more than 17 million immigrants from 100-plus countries who landed in New York between 1892 and 1924. Every year more than 3 million visitors visit the island, many of them to trace their family's roots. And doing so is particularly great for kids. It boosts their self-esteem and builds their character.

"So I think it's just important to come here so you can see the person who gave you a better life," said Rachel Greeman.