Figure 1.--Here we have a snapshot unfortunately without any additional information identifying the group. We think it is a Catholic group with some of the girls waering heawear with national influences, pergaps Polish or Ukranian. It could be a school or church group. It would have been taken in the 1910s or very early-20s.

American immigrants tended to organize along national lines. The Irish were the first to cvome in strength (1840s). Other Catholic hroups were hesitant to emigrate to a largely Protestant country. This did not chnge until asfter the Civilm War (1861-65). Apparently the lure of American prosperity overcsme religious comncerns. Important national groups came from Ireland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, and smaller countries, at the time provinces of the multi-national Austro-Hungarian Empire. The result is that many national groups can be found in specific cities. And the same was true for neigborhoods in the larger cities. Many Catholic churches had national orientations. And some of the national churches were associated, but not part of the Catholic Church. There were quite a number different Catholic denominations. We see some of this in the photographic record with the parisiiners, espcially the girls wearing national styles for special occassions.

Created: 3:05 AM 12/15/2023
Last updated: 3:05 AM 12/15/2023