My great-great grandparents, Arpad and  Szuszanna Balky, immigrated to the United States from Tatabanya, Hungary in 1910.  They were my paternal grandmother’s grandparents.  They came through Ellis Island and eventually settled down in Wyandotte, Michigan a suburb of Detroit.  They came over to the US with three of their seven daughters.  Four more were born in Wyandotte.  

One of my great-great grandparents’ possessions was a glass decanter with six matching cordial glasses. This set was a wedding present from her family.  The set is decorated with hand painted purple flowers and gold leaf.  It made the journey from Hungary in what my grandmother called a valise.  This set has been passed down to the first married daughter of each generation.  In the case of my parents it was given to the first married couple when my grandparents moved to North Carolina.  The beautiful set sits in a place of honor in my parents china cabinet.  It is taken out on special occasions to toast to the good health and happiness of Szusanna and Arpad’s descendents.

– RA

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more