I am looking for "Illenz" relatives.........?

Question

I know my grandfather came to the US when he was young into Ellis Island NY. Do you know any "Illenz's" or where to find ?

Answer 1

I checked at ancestry.com and there are people who emigrated from both Hungary and Romania. I have a Hungarian uncle via marriage and in doing research realized he was born in Romania. Borders changed over the years.

For example a Joseph ILLENZ arrived via a Canadian Border Crossing in 1922 along with Magdalena. He was born in Romania. It appears that they are from a town called Neu Arat/ New Arat, Romania(Hungary?) Based on age I think that Magdalena is the mother and her husband is listed as Joseph, which would mean the father and son have the same first name.

In the 1930 U.S. Census, there is a Joseph ILLENZ and his wife, Freda. living in Buffalo, NY. He is a carpenter at a foundry and pays $25 a month for rent. Freda is of German ancestry. This Joseph seems to be the same person I mentioned in the prior paragraph. He was born in 1904 or 1905.

His closest relative in the 'old country' is his grandfather - Valentin ZIMMER, Frangasser 18, Neu Arat...(so, if these are your relatives, you now have an address in the old country from 1922. This "may" be Magdalena's maiden name, if this is her father.)

I hope this helps...

Answer 2

Ellis Island's Web site has a pretty good database. Try there.

And maybe look at some census results, perhaps through your public library's Web site. You might get some direction that way.

Answer 3

Hi if he came thru Ellis island go to Genalogy.com and search the passengers list for him.. Also that is an unusal surname so check the message boards while your there and family tree's.. Good luck