Ellis Island Immigrant #1

On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island opened its doors to the world. 14-year old Annie Moore from Ireland became the very first immigrant to be processed there. She received a $10 gold piece in commemoration of the event and was front-page news. Once the “Wee Annie” accolades died away, she went on to make her way in her new country. Sadly, she led a fairly hard life on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When she died at 50, Annie was buried in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery in Queens; placed there with 5 of her 11 children. A recent film about Ellis Island led to curiosity about what happened to her. Filmmaker Megan Smolenyak and city Records Commissioner Brian Andersson searched through numerous records to uncover her fate. Once found, five of Annie’s great-grandchildren raised $25,000 to give the family matriarch a beautiful headstone and commemoration ceremony attended by 200 family and friends from America and Ireland. Though Annie’s life wasn’t easy, many of her descendants prospered here. That was America before Ellis Island. That was America in 1892 and the early 1900’s. That’s America today. Only in America are people from around the world welcomed as they are. God bless America for it.

Civil War-rior Recognized

A Midwest researcher helps a long forgotten New Yorker. Roderick Connelly may now rest in peace and receive the respect he’s deserved for over 143 years. Once buried in an unmarked grave, an appropriate tombstone now honors his burial spot at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens. Connelly was among 3,300 courageous Union soldiers who attacked Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865. While many of his comrades were killed, wounded or fled, Connelly bravely remained behind and fought along with his unit until the Confederate troops surrendered. His actions earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. An ordinary man who became a hero. America is blessed to have had people such as Mr. Connelly throughout our history. We're blessed that brave and patriotic men and women still rise from among us today.