Ellis County Texas Archives History .....Czech Immigration To Ennis 1980 ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Virginia Crilley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000642 July 12, 2006, 5:19 pm

Book Title: 

Ennis Daily News article ca 1980's
(no byline)

Immigration of Czechs to Ennis

For generations individuals of Czech extraction have made many notable
historical and cultural contributions to the Ennis area.  As the second largest
ethnic group in Texas, individuals of Czech descent now number nearly one
million.  The Czech language is the state's third most popular spoken language.

From 1620 until 1918, the Czechs lived in the Bohemia and Moravia provices under
the rule of the Austria-Hungary empire. The Czechs 1848 revolt against the
Hapsburg Monarchy was unsuccessful and oppression resulted.  Czechs began to
look toward American for freedom and opportunity.  In the late 1840s Czech
immigrants came to Texas in increasing numbers.

The first Czech families to arrive in the Ennis area came in 1875.  They settle
primarily in the ares of Creechville, Telico, and Crisp.  As additional Czechs
came, they tended to flock to the communities where they knew someone.  A large
influx of immigrants began to come to Ennis in the mid 1880s. Their talent for
farming led the Czechs to settle on the rich soil areas of Texas.  Many would
work on the farms of other immigrants to get a start until they were able to
obtain their own property.  Many also worked and saved money to bring additional
family members from their homeland to this "land of opportunity".  Some of the
newcomers first moved to other parts of the United States. Then they'd hear
about Ennis and the opportunity to purchase land and farm.

Many of the immigrants came to the United States at a young age, perhaps in
their 20s.  Some knew each other in Europe and then married here. Others came
with young families, while some came with their entire family -- great
grandparents, grandparents, sons and daughters and their children.  Many men
came early and later sent for their family members.

Much has been written about immigrants to the Ennis area being primarily from
the Moravian province.  Although many were, there were also a large number from
the Bohemian province.  A very limited number of people from Slovakia found
their way to the Ennis area.  Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia were the three
large provinces of the Czech lands which came to be Czechoslovakia in 1918. 
Since Jan 1, 1993, Bohemia and Moravia comprise the Czech Republic and Slovakia
is known as the Slovak Republic.

Various reasons played a part in decisions made by Czechs to leave their
homeland for America.  The decision must have been tough for many.  They left
behind their homeland, properties, personal belongings, and many times parents,
brothers, sisters, and in some cases spouses and children.  There were promises
of returns to visit, but most never materialized.  They came with visions of an
ideal life in an ideal land.  Many left their homeland because of the fear of
conscription into the Austrian Army because of the unsettled Balkan situation.
Some had already served in the Army and feared they'd have to serve additional
time.  The Czechs looked toward American for freedom and opportunity. 
Transportation companies encouraged travel to America.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tx/ellis/history/other/czechimm18gms.txt

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