A Passage to America

David Wallach – arrives May 7, 1922

 

David Wallach, age 65, boards the The Lapland in Antwerp, Belgium on April 27,1922 and arrives at Ellis Island on May 7, 1922. 

 

 

                                               The Lapland

 

 

It seems fitting that David Wallach was the first one in the family line to steam into America by way of New York.   We can imagine a sparkling spring day in May, David Wallach standing on the deck of the Lapland, leaning against the railing, and gazing at the Statue of Liberty as he approaches his new home. The home for his sons that he has not seen in more than a decade, and the home for grandchildren he has never met. The patriarch of the Wallach family tree that picked itself up by the roots in the old world and transplanted itself in the new.  David makes the journey to America near the end of his life, and sees that tree flourish in it's new environment..  

 

David Wallach’s Immigration Interview:

 

David Wallach, Age 60, Widow.

 

Occupation:     Tanner.

Able to read and write: Yes. Hebrew.

Nationality:  Romanian (Russian crossed out and Romanian written in).

Race: Hebrew.

Last permanent residence: Russia:Hotin.

Name of friend or relative in country you left: Son in law:Schmul Schonfeld lives in Hotin.

Final Destination: Pennsylvania: Philadelphia

Ticket: Yes, Paid for by Son.

Possession of: $25 at arrival.

Have you ever been in the United States before: No.

Name and address of relative you will be joining in United States:

Son: Berl Wallach:1533 S. 5th street Phil.Pa.

Do you plan to return to country of origin: No.

Length of time you plan to stay in United States: Always.

Do you plan to become a citizen of the United States: Yes.

Polygamist:No.

Anarchist: No.

Condition of health: Good

Deformed or crippled: No.

Height:  5'11"

Complexion: Fair.

Hair: Gray.

Eyes: Gray.

Place of birth:  Hotin:Russia.

  David Wallach would live seven of his 72 years in America. Long enough to see both sons achieve  business success in the new world. Long enough to meet his grandchildren in Chicago and Philadelphia.. Edith (Yetta) remembers meeting David when she was around 10 years old, “a tall man with a long white beard”. David Wallach lived long enough to see all this, but, perhaps gratefully, not long enough to learn of the near total annihilation of the Jewish people in the town he was born.