Alliet Family — Maldegem to Rochester (New York)
This is one of those family stories where you can almost see the suitcases in the hallway. In just a short span of time, members of the Alliet family left Maldegem and re-assembled around Rochester (New York) and Irondequoit. Passenger notes and later addresses reveal a very concrete chain migration: one family member arrives, then the rest follows—step by step, name by name.
At a glance
The records below show (1) an early arrival in 1910, (2) a father arriving in February 1911, and (3) a larger family wave in July 1911—many explicitly “to father August Alliet” in Rochester.
1) The “first step”: Jules (1910)
A key name appears early: Jules Alliet, born 2 Oct 1888 in Maldegem. He is recorded crossing in March 1910 (ship FINLAND), destination Rochester, NY. In the note, he is linked to a friend A. De Coninck, and later the story connects to a marriage in Rochester.
2) The anchor arrives: August (Feb 1911)
Then comes August Alliet (born 20 Oct 1857, Maldegem), crossing on 20 Feb 1911 aboard LAPLAND, destination Rochester, NY—to his son Jules. In later notes he appears with a clear Rochester address: 21 Barr, Rochester.
3) The family wave: July 1911 (KROONLAND)
In July 1911 (ship KROONLAND), several family members follow “to father August Alliet” in Rochester, including Mathilde (Quissens) (born 27 Mar 1860) and children such as Clemence (born 15 Apr 1889) and Alberta (born 12 Aug 1897).
There is also a younger member, Rene (twin, born 6 Dec 1901), who is likewise listed “to father August” in Rochester on the same July 1911 movement.
4) Achiel: Irondequoit, work and address clues
A particularly “alive” record is Achiel Alliet (born 4 Jun 1891, Maldegem), who arrives 21 Mar 1911 on LAPLAND, destination Irondequoit—to father August Alliet. The later note adds that in 1918 he is a worker in Rochester and lives at 21 Barr, Rochester, NY.
5) A small Meetjesland detail that matters
One entry mentions an uncle: Henry Saelens from Ursel—a nice reminder that these moves often relied on wider village networks, not just one nuclear family.
What this tells us (in plain words)
The Alliet story is a textbook chain migration: Jules first, then August as the anchor, then a larger family arrival to Rochester/Irondequoit—with addresses and employers appearing afterwards. Those little notes are gold: they turn a passenger list into a real life in a real street.
