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Ellis Island Closed Until Further Notice
As of May 2013: Due to the conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum will be closed until further notice. A projected reopening date has not yet been established, follow our twitter account for updates. More »
Perdikis Family
Iparhos Perdikis and his parents, Alexandros and Efthalia, outside their storefront in New York City.
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
In 1921, Iparhos Perdikis came to the United States with his parents, Alexandros and Efthalia (Arone) Perdikis, aboard the Themistocles. The family settled in New York City where Iparhos, who was 16 years upon arrival, went to school and later studied music and dance. As a young dancer, he was part of a team known as "Perzade and Jetan" and performed in vaudeville theatres and nightclubs throughout the country. Despite holding onto traditional items from Cyprus, Iparhos Perdikis, who changed his name to Harold Perris in America, was also drawn to the promises of his newly adopted country. He looked to the lights of New York City and the opportunities available there. As he noted, "From that beautiful city … I got my dreams." |
Did You Know?
Although Ellis Island is federal property and has always been historically considered in New York, the U.S. Supreme Court appointed a "Special Master" to mediate. The ruling in 1998 determined that the original island belongs to New York and the rest of the island, added after 1834, belongs to New Jersey.