Shenandoah Native Holds Presentation Focusing on Migration of Lithuanians

A Shenandoah native held a special presentation at the Shenandoah Historical Society recently focusing on Lithuanians.

At the recent meeting of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, Anne Chaikowsky LaVoie Skirmantis, a native of Shenandoah and 1975 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School, conducted a presentation that focused on the migration of Lithuanians who left their native land, travelled across the ocean and relocated in the United States from the late 1880s up to the 1930s. 

Using a slide projector, Anne traced their departure from Lithuania and where they endured hardships and then travelled by ship in steerage class and eventually sought residency in the United States. 

In attendance were 28 people many of which were of Lithuanian background who resided in Shenandoah and a few who attended from out of the area.

Shown in photo L-R: Sue Swearhart GSAHS Secretary, Dr. Diane Saldukas Mazur who currently resides in the Allentown area, Presenter Anne Skirmantis, and Paul Chowansky, a former resident of Shenandoah who currently resides in Seagirt, New Jersey. The next meeting will be September 6th at the Historical Center.