10:00 AM

Enjoy a lecture from Dr. Martin Nekola

Czechs in the USA and Texas -

History, Places and Opportunities for Further Research

Thousands of people dreamed of leaving poor Bohemian lands, crossing the ocean, and entering the country of endless hope. Around 1506, the first news about America in the Czech language had spread across Bohemia and was received with great interest. Only after the middle of the 19th century was there a massive wave of migration. The main motivation was the vision of better living conditions and of getting rich easily, but also there was a desire to escape the political, religious, and national oppression in Bohemia, at that time part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

Throughout the second half of the 19th century, more and more Czechs arrived. With the outbreak of the First World War in the summer of 1914, statistics state that there were about 350,000 Czechs living in the USA. The lecture will focus on places where the Czechs showed an extraordinary desire to associate, and founded a number of compatriot associations, businesses, schools, and churches, as well as publishing numerous periodicals. Dr. Martin Nekola will also share his research experience and advise how to look for ancestors from the old country.

1:15 PM - 3:00 PM

Research at the Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus Attendees can come and stay/go as desired.

Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus

5300 Caroline St.

Houston, TX

77004

Sign up for this free Lecture!

Czech Center Museum Houston would like to thank Diana Austin, Rev. Paul Chovanec, James Ermis, Adelma Graham, Sharon Schweitzer J.D., Valerie Sheppard, William and Marie Vavrik, and donors who wish to remain anonymous for generously supporting our Czech Heritage Month programs.