When we came to the States in April, 1952, nearly all traffic across the Atlantic was by ship. Our ship, loaded with cargo and immigrants, was the USNS General C. C. Ballou. This picture was taken in Bremerhaven, Germany, sometime in 1952.
We departed Bremerhaven for the United States, together with over 1000 other refugees. Most were heading to America; for some the final destination was Canada. Seeing our names on the inbound (to NY) passenger manifest is quite exciting.
Because I can speak German, lived in Germany, and taught German in my second career, most people who know me think I was German. The manifest shows we weren’t German citizens, instead we were “Roumanian” displaced persons. Our names are listed on lines 7, 8, 9, and 10.
We sailed for America on March 31, 1952.
My sister-in-laws family (Konyens from Zendresch, Romania) also were on this same ship on the same date (sailed from Bremerhaven on 3-31-1952, arrived in NYC on 4-12-1952.) Can you please advise how I can get a copy of the manifest that you have? I have had no success finding it online. Thank you!
I was on this same vessel with my parents. I was only four but remember we all had to go on board as someone died and they had the burial at sea. Also remember that the men and women were separated and I hardly saw my dad, as we were in the women’s section of the vessel.
How great to hear from a fellow traveler on our “luxury cruise”. Do you recall some of the other descriptions of our trip across the angry North Atlantic that I describe in my book? My mother’s and my cots were very close to the bow. Maybe we saw each other? We are a bit older now. 🙂 My memory of the trip is quite good since I was almost nine. Just the other day another passenger on the ship contacted me, although he sailed to the USA one year before you and I did. His story and my story are similar. Thanks for contacting me!
I was on the same ship in 1952. I was sea sick the whole time. I keep thinking another voyage like that would really help me lose weight.
After reading some of the other comments I just wanted to add some also. I too saw the burial and the wailing of relatives in New York when they found out. I was eleven and I had to be with the adults. Fresh air seemed helpful being sick and I stayed on deck as much as I could. The sleeping quarters smelled terribly. Everyone seemed to be sick because of the pounding waves. It was not a modern cruise ship. I still remember being anchored in New York overnight and marveling at all the lights. Seemingly without effort, I quickly learned English in the middle of hot humid Georgia. Now living in Northern California learning Spanish.
Hello Gerhard,
It is good to hear from another passenger who enjoyed our “lovely cruise.” It was indeed an adventure. I remember the huge waves. I once saw an about 14 year old boy nearly fall into the angry ocean. The ship suddenly tipped and he flew over the railing. He grabbed overhead safety rope just in time. While holding onto the rope with one hand he was dangling on the ocean side of the railing. When the ship righted itself, he was catapulted back onto the deck. If he is still alive, I’m sure he has not forgotten. You are the 11th person, who sailed with us on the USS General Ballou, who has contacted me since I wrote my memoir. We are getting to be a large, if somewhat old, club. I have only personally met two of them. One lives 45 minutes away and we are good friends. How did you discover my website? You can email me at info@themaroscherstory.com Email is more private than these notes which the whole world can see.
Anneliese …I remember the burial at sea also. We were on that ship also… DP. I wanted to ask if there was a way to get a manifest… our family was Konyen, my phone number is xxxxxxxxxx. I live in Ludington, Michigan. Keep in touch. Gerda Konyen-Wickett
Sorry it took so long to answer as lots of stuff has been going on. The way I got the manifest was through a friend who took a trip to Germany several years ago, and while there visited the newly decorated Museum in Bremerhaven where she has family and got me a copy. I was so happy because my parents never had any documentation as to the ship we arrived on. There were many things in there past that they never wanted to discuss.
Being an only child was always difficult for me because I craved more information. I never had any grandparents to ask as they were deceased (tragically in most cases) before I was born. Most of my cousins are still in Germany but they don’t have much knowledge because everyone seemed to be displaced during the war and afterwards.
Hi Anneliese,
The list of fellow passengers on the USS General Ballou is growing. I am keeping a list of all of our fellow passengers who want to contact each other via email, snail mail, or phone. If you have an interest in that, please email me at info@themaroscherstory. By the way, this May I published a second edition of my book. In December 2017, I found a notebook that had been lost 35 years of my notes I took while Mom was telling me stories during and after the war. The new stories were added to the book and the book was re-written with the input of professional editors. Gerhard Maroscher, fellow passenger on the USS General Ballou, departing Bremerhaven, March 31, 1952.
Thank You Gerhard for your beautiful book that also shared my own distant memory of my trip to America. I am in a positive-shock state-of-mind…you are the first person I have connected with that was on that voyage to America…I am so very grateful that we connected…we will speak again soon. I will send you the money for the book and will order several more… will also speak to our library about ordering… Thank You. Gerda Konyen (Wickett). Konyen is the name I came under…..
I too am thrilled that we connected after 65 years. Thank you for contacting me. Anything you can do to spread the word, such as contacting your local library is appreciated.
I believe my family was also on this ship from Germany in 1952. How do I find the manifest?
Hi Stephanie, the name of my ship was the USS General Ballou. We departed Bremerhaven, Germany May 31, 1952. Refugees from many countries were on board. I found the manifest through http://www.ancestry.com. I do not recall the details of how I searched the website, but you it was not difficult to access the manifests for ships departing from Bremerhaven. The more you know about your departure and arrival dates the easier the search will be. Good luck.
Gerhard Maroscher
I found my family’s manifest on the Ellis Island website at libertyellisfoundation.org. They also came to the US on the USNS Ballou from Bremerhaven to New York City in Dec 1950. The search/info is free, but you do have to create an account with your name and email. (which is also free) There is also an option to purchase a frameable certificate with your relative’s manifest info printed on it that I think is pretty neat. Good luck!
Must leave a note for anyone interested. My parents, Erika and Rudolf Haffner, and I at age 12 (Hermann) were on that ship voyage to the US. We were originally from Austria-Hungary – our area (Buchenland / Bukovina) became part of Romania after the breakup of A.-H. after WWI. In 1940 we resettled to Austria, then part of the Deutsches Reich after the Anschluss in 1939. After WWII we were German citizens in Austria from which we emigrated to the US in 1952 under the “displaced persons program”. Some in our extended family stayed in Austria, others moved to Germany and others emigrated to Canada and Australia over the years following the war…. It is amazing finding “our” ship after all these years – I only remembered that the name started with “B”. Thank you for the research. I also remember the sad burial at sea, the crowded conditions and a big storm in the North Atlantic toward the end of the long voyage.
Hermann Haffner we were on the same ship and I too remember the burial at sea…where are you living now? How are things going for you? Do you have a copy of that wonderful book that Gerhard Maroscher wrote ? Keep in touch. Happy Easter. Gerda Konyen (Wickett), Michigan
Hello Gerda, So nice and unexpected to hear from a fellow traveler – so much time and so many stories….Yes, I have the book and it inspired me to write down many remembrances from the war years. Gerhard M. contacted me and I sent a picture of the burial at sea which could be used in his book’s second edition publication. Thank you for your note. p.s. I reside in Bucks Co, PA. If you wish, can e-mail you a copy of the picture (my father and I are in it).It was sent to us by a family my parents befriended on the journey. They exchanged destination addresses – believe they went to South Carolina. We went to a farm near East St. Louis (Prairie DuRoche) Illinois, but only stayed there ’til Memorial Day 1952. Another long story that could be a book by itself. In the picture, the expressions on the faces are fascinating. Especially with the children one senses adventure, surprise, awe and uncertainty. Take care, Hermann H.
Hermann H. I’m Gerda Konyen. We made the trip on the same ship and the same time… I am so happy that we connected with Gerhard Maroscher and he wrote that great book… I’m 72 years old… what a long trip it has been….wonderful to hear from you….be well. Gerda
Hi Anneliese,
The list of fellow passengers on the USS General Ballou is growing. I am keeping a list of all of our fellow passengers who want to contact each other via email, snail mail, or phone. If you have an interest in that, please email me at info@themaroscherstory. By the way, this May I published a second edition of my book. In December 2017, I found a notebook that had been lost 35 years of my notes I took while Mom was telling me stories during and after the war. The new stories were added to the book and the book was re-written with the input of professional editors. Gerhard Maroscher, fellow passenger on the USS General Ballou, departing Bremerhaven, March 31, 1952.
I believe my dad and his family were on this ship too of Polish decent kolcz and sliwinski family were in a concentration camp
How interesting! I have looked online to find more information for years. My parents and I- I was 8 at the time – came to the US just a little later, arriving in NY on June 10, 1952, also on the Gen. Ballou. I remember the soldiers giving me salted peanuts to combat seasickness. I don’t think it helped. Years later, living in NYC, I met my husband and while telling him about the voyage, he realized he had been on the same ship while in the army, when it was a troop ship going to Korea (he was 12 years older than I). I still have the postcard photo of the ship.
I also left Bremerhaven on the General CC Ballou, on Mary 31, 1952, arriving New York June 10. I was 10 years old, travelled with mother and father and 4 siblings. We were from Germany, Rathmannsdorf inititially later near Hannover, Refugees. Went to US under US program refugees to work on US farms. I am currently working for a small oil company in Quito Ecuador. It was a lovely trip, although most passengers got sea sick.
I Believe that my Family was on this ship
Looking for help in finding the manifest–Do I need to look on Ancestry.com
Hello!
When will the next reunion in 2020 be? I have three original out of 4 family passengers that came over November 3rd 1951. My Baba who is 93 remembers it like it was yesterday! So glad that I found you and thanks for the great work!
Hi Halina, we are not planning a reunion. I have met with two of the ten passengers who sailed on the USS General Ballou. One of them came on the same trip as me and my family, departing March 31, 1952. That gentleman is about 83. His homeland was Romania. The other gentleman lives within 45 minutes of me. He sailed in 1951. We are now friends and meet occasionally for coffee or lunch. The others and I have only been in email contact with each other. My friend’s homeland was Hungary. Do you have an interest in contacting the other passengers? By the way, did you purchase my book? It gives a good description of the trip across the Atlantic.
Best wishes,
Gerhard Maroscher
Ohio
Hi Gerhard,
I just discovered your story page. I was born in Germany in a DP camp to Polish parents and was carried to Boston on the Gen. C.C. Ballou also, but in June of 1950. I was wondering how you were able to locate the manifest for your voyage.
regards,
Joe Kwapisz
Hi Joe, Thank you for contacting me. I found the manifest on Ancestry.com Since I knew names and dates it was easy. I suspect that you can also find it from Ellis Island archives. I had to join ancestry.com to gain access. I think it was in the neighborhood of $50 for a year membership. It is possible that through Ellis Island Foundation it might be cheaper or free. I’ve been contacted by twelve passengers who were on the ship at the same time as me and my family. I’ve met several of them. About eight others, who sailed on the USS General Ballou at other times, also contacted me. All have commented that their histories are much like mine, even if they were from other Eastern European countries. Only 45 minutes from where I live is a Hungarian gentleman whose story is nearly identical. We are friends now and occasionally meet for coffee.
Dear Gerhard
When I was 11 months old in July 1949, my father, mother, uncle, grandfather and grandmother sailed on the General Ballou from Bremerhaven to Brooklyn NY. My family were refugees from Poland and had been in a DP camp outside of Munich for 4 years. My mom who at 96 is still pretty with it, tells me the trip took 9 days. She and other women and their small children were berthed in officers’ quarters while the men slept in hammocks. Many got sea-sick. Are there any correspondents who were on that voyage? I would be pleased to hear from them. Thank you Gerhard for putting this site together. I too have settled in Ohio.
Michael Lederman
Dear Michael,
My family and I sailed from Bremerhaven to NY March 31, 1952. Our trip took about 10 days. We had severe weather and high waves. I have been contacted by mostly fellow passengers on my voyage. I believe 12 fellow passengers contacted me. Some are OK with sharing stories others want to remain anonymous. The USS General Ballou sailed between Bremerhaven and the USA for several years, a few passengers, such as you, who crossed the Atlantic at other times have also contacted me. You were too young to remember the voyage. I was eight and remember it well. I’ve captured some of my recollections of the voyage in my memoir.
Separately I sent you email address. I would be happy to communicate more with you in the future.
Gerhard Maroscher
So nice to read these excerpts from people of all ages and locations. I’ve recently lost touch because we’ve done a large move this year and at our age things just seem to take a bit longer and last year was laid up for a while with a fractured foot. I’m still trying to find information about my background, but since I’ve lost both my parents and being an only child is difficult at best. I’ve tried Ancestry.com without much success. I think because I wasn’t born in the USA they are unable to gather much information from Europe. If you remember from my previous email I was four when we landed in NY on April 12, 1952. I do however vividly remember our sleeping quarters and the burial at sea of a person lost during the voyage. I still always see that image, but knew later it had to be done. In closing thanks for listening
I, too, together with my father, Balys Gaidziunas, mother, Nastazija, brother, Kestutis, and grandmother with correspondence and nominal roles done at Bremen-Grohn, eere transported by ship USS General Ballou. Destination: USA.
We were all born in Lithuania. My father was in concentration camps as political prisoner. Rest of us at DP camp. We had gone to Pfullingen, Reutlingnen.
We sailed on November/December 1949, arriving at Ellis Island early Dec, 1949.
I was 6 years old. I remember being on the lower part if the ship with women only. Men on upper level.
Ocean was rough…..we received oranges, many oranges and barf bags. To this day I cannot eat an orange
On the morning we arrived, everyone went on deck to see the Statue of Liberty. Heard words: Freedom! Freedom.
I didn’t understand English, but knew the mood was positive !!!
Hello Ruta,
Thank you so much for contacting me.
I stayed in the front lower part of the ship with my mother. I was eight in 1952, when we crossed the Atlantic. The men and older boys were in the rear of the ship.
I remember the crossing well. Early in the morning I saw the Statue of Liberty. It was the sign that we had made it to America.
There are millions of stories like ours. Have you thought to write down your memories for the younger generation in your family? Otherwise all the stories are lost.
As you know, I wrote my story and published it. It will be available as an audiobook starting November 1.
Gerhard