ARRIVAL IN AMERICA - APRIL 2, 1914 - Ellis Island  - New York

My Grandparents Ioannis (John) Z. Xaniotis age 31 and Eleni Gripari (Delianos) Xanioti (age 20) arrived at Ellis Island along with a Nephew Zafiris Xaniotis. The journey began in Patras, Greece aboard the steamship "Laconia" on February 25, 1914 ( 4 months before the start of WWI)  Second class accomodations for a nearly 5 week voyage. Desination Joliet, Illinois via New York. According to the ship's manifest John was going to stay with his brother Dimitri who had arrived in Joliet on September 20, 1906 at the age of 26. Dimitri had stayed in Joliet and was listed as living with his brother John in the Joliet City Directory up until 1926 when he returned to Mykonos. I remember Thea Anna Honiotes-Calamaras talking about "Uncle Jim". She was around 12 years old when he returned to Mykonos.

In the photo below of the Rockdale Brickyards, John Z Honiotes is standing in the middle row center (dark shirt and vest). Probably one of his first jobs after arrival in the USA. Circa 1915. John Z Honiotes completed his mandatory military service in Greece sometime before he left Mykonos. The document next to his military photo is the official government certificate ( hand written) that states his military obligation was fulfilled.