Arriving in America

As I mentioned on the first page, John Mery was in America at least sometime around 1884, but the only actual  arrival documentation I have been able to find thusfar is the passenger manifest and arrival record at Ellis Island in 1902.  John Mery, Andras Mery (his son), and Theresa Mery (his daughter) all arrived via the USS Pennsylvania departing from Boulogne-Sur-Mer and arriving in New York on November 29, 1902.  John Mery's etnicity on this record is listed as Hungarian, Magyar Kispest and he is listed as Married.  Theresa and Andras ethnicy is listed as American, and last place of residence is listed as Budapest.

My grandfather, whose name was listed as Stefon Hajdu, and my great-grandmother, Clara Hajdu, arrived on the USS Pennsylvania departing from Hamburg, Germany and arriving in New York on November 12, 1903.  The reason I was able to make this connection was because on the ships manifest, it lists Clara Hajdu's destination as "John Mery-Appenzelle, PA."  Her marital status on the Ellis Island record is also listed as married.

There is no other man on the ship listed as traveling with her, other than my grandfather..............so WHO is she married to, and WHERE is he?  By the time of the 1910 census, both John Mery and Clara Hajdu are listed as widowed, my grandfather is now Stephen Felix Mery instead of Stefon Hajdu, and he is listed as adopted.  So, WHEN and WHERE did Blanche Seurat die?  And WHEN and WHERE did Clara Hajdu's husband (who evidently would be my biological great-grandfather) die?  And WHO was he?

So, the important questions are--Where was John Mery between 1884 and 1902?  Where was Blanche Seurat?  When, between 1884 and 1902 did John Mery return to France and/or Hungary and Why?  What happened between 1902 and 1910 when my grandfather was adopted by John Mery, why was he adopted, and was it official?

Step-by-Step Genealogy Guide, click hypertext link for complete information.