Meet Anna Sudek
In October 1904, Anna Sudek, aged 24, and her younger sister Julia, aged 21, embarked on a voyage from Bremen, Germany to the United States aboard the Kronprinz Wilhelm. Originally from Mielec, Poland, they identified as Polish. Their destination was New York City, where they were to be received by their cousin, Julia Soja, residing at 30 Canal Street. The journey marked their hopeful pursuit of new opportunities in America, reflecting a common narrative of immigration during that era.
After attending a training by Elizabeth Williams Gomel, CG, I developed a habit of methodically analyzing all records. After reviewing the detained passenger list to my surprise, I discovered that Anna and her sister Julia had been detained upon their arrival.
The discovery that Anna and Julia were met by their cousin Julia Katzmarski upon their detention adds another dimension to their immigration story. Despite being temporarily detained, they found support from family upon arrival in New York City. Julia Katzmarski, residing at 44 Rutger Street, welcomed them, reflecting the importance of familial ties in navigating the challenges of immigration.
Based on the death certificate of Henry Katzmarski, the son of Martin and Agnes this gives us proof that Anna Soja and Anna Katzmarski are the same person. Anna and Julia Sudek may have been detained because Julia Soja got married from the time they purchased their tickets from Bremen and the time they arrived in New York. We can gather that Anna and Julia were detained for 2 days based on the amount of meals they received.
Further insight from the 1905 New York Census reveals that Julia Katzmarski lived with her husband, Martin, and their five children at the 44 Rutgers address that is on the Detained Passenger List. Their son, Henry was also on the 1905 census.
The tapestry of Anna's life continues to unfold with each new fiber woven into its intricate design. Each thread reveals more about her journey, her character. With each discovery, we gain a richer understanding of Anna's life.