1824 - 26 Several Families leave Southern Bohemian to emigrate into Southern Hungary in an area that is now in the country of Romania: click here
1889 Blaha Brothers from the Village Gernic begin their immigration process to America
Josef was the first Blaha to come to America from the village Gernik. He arrived in 1889, following the poplar immigration route to the Northern states. One year later he left North Dakota for Virginia to homestead. This was the begining of the "chain migration" from Gernik to Virginia.
Antwerp, Belgium- Red Star Line. May 29, 1889.
Josef Blaha 1850-1919
Kristina Sucha 1858-1949
Aloijsuis Blaha arrived in 1903 going directly to Petersburg, VA
"List of Manifest of ALien Passengers for the Commissioner of Immigration"
Alois and Frantiska Blaha were among the families who made a chain migration from Gernik to Southside Virginia at the turn of the 18th century.
Aloijsuis Blaha, father, age 46 (states he is traveling with his brother Josef Blaha of Petersburg VA)
Frantiska Blaha, wife, age 43
Matyas Blaha, son, age 17 (My Grandfather "Americanized" his name to Matthew)
Vaclav Blaha, son, age 13
Jan Blaha, son, age 8
Josef Blaha, son, age 4
Johanna Blaha, daughter, age 2
Marie Blaha, daughter, born about 1881 was not on this passenger list. She did not immigrate until 1905 accoding to the census of 1910. She is buried in St. John's Cemetary in Dinwiddie County, VA
In order to become a U.S. citizen immigrants first had to apply for a Declaration of Intention, then wait for a period of three years of residency before applying for naturalization. Wives and minor children automatically became citizens when their husbands became naturalized.
Matyas Vincenz Blaha arrived in 1911 going directly to Petersburg, VA
The Matyas Vincenz Blaha (Maria (Mary Anna) Piecek) family also came over on the SS Brandenburg, April 27, 1911 arriving in Baltimore May 11, 1911.
Passenger List:
Matyas Blaha, age 41, Occupation: Farmer
Maria, age 36,
Johanna (Jennie) age 15
Katerina, age 11
Teresa, age 10
Fercuez (Frank) age 7
Marie, age 4
Josef, age 9
Catherine Blaha Picek, a sister of the three brothers, arrived here sometime later. Information about this sisters is being researched as this is a fairly new discovery for us. We've lots more research to do and exciting discoveries to make. This just goes to prove how interesting genealogy can be.
From Gernik, Romania to Southern Virginia
The Declaration of Intention renounced loyalty to Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria and Hungary.
Great Grandma visits her family in Virginia and attends a church picnic. she is dressed in her village Kroj.
Grandma Blaha nee: Christina Mary Zaruba is dressed in American clothes but they have her European influence - 1922
Group of family and friends at the Blaha Farm Dinwiddie, Virginia in the late 1920's or early1930's - "Daddy" is Matyas (Mathew) Blaha. He is on the first row on the right. Do you know who the others are? Wouldn't it be fun to find out?
This is a photo of my grandparents. Their children shown with them were the first generation born in America. They became for us part of the "Village" - as in "it takes a village to raise a child" - that was instramental in helping me and others of my generation value a loyal family lifestyle.
First row seated: Grandpa, Matthews Blaha, Grandma, Christina Zaruba Blaha,Second row, left to right. Louis J. Blaha,Sr., Mary Virginia Blaha Richardson, Emil (Amos) Blaha, Helena Blaha Cole, Frank John Blaha,Sr.(my Dad), Otelia (Tillie)Blaha Urban, Edward Kenneth Blaha.
We were the next generation born in Virginia. Here are a few of the Matyas & Christina Blaha's grandchildren.
First row, left to right, Marie Blaha Pearson, Teti; Frank J. Blaha, Jr., Sonny Boy; Ronnie Matthews Blaha; Louis J. Blaha, Jr. Sonny; Christina Urban Ramsey, Sissy; Alvin Blaha, and Adolph Urban, Butch.
"List of Manifest of ALien Passengers for the Commissioner of Immigration" 
Alois and Frantiska Blaha were among the families who made a chain migration from Gernik to Southside Virginia at the turn of the 18th century.
In order to become a U.S. citizen immigrants first had to apply for a Declaration of Intention, then wait for a period of three years of residency before applying for naturalization. Wives and minor children automatically became citizens when their husbands became naturalized. 
Great Grandma visits her family in Virginia and attends a church picnic. she is dressed in her village Kroj.
Grandma Blaha nee: Christina Mary Zaruba is dressed in American clothes but they have her European influence - 1922 
Group of family and friends at the Blaha Farm Dinwiddie, Virginia in the late 1920's or early1930's - "Daddy" is Matyas (Mathew) Blaha. He is on the first row on the right. Do you know who the others are? Wouldn't it be fun to find out? 
This is a photo of my grandparents. Their children shown with them were the first generation born in America. They became for us part of the "Village" - as in "it takes a village to raise a child" - that was instramental in helping me and others of my generation value a loyal family lifestyle. 
We were the next generation born in Virginia. Here are a few of the Matyas & Christina Blaha's grandchildren.