Family History

My family name Noe has many origins. It was associated with Holland, England, Germany, and France. It is said to have been derived from the Biblical name Noah. That is all my Dad new about our last name, as his family was never interested in knowing the origins.

However, my mother’s family has told stories of their immigration from Ukraine for years. Shortly before World War II, when my great grandfather refused to join the communist party, my great grandmother, and grandmother were forced to leave after being declared enemies of the state. Because my great grandmother was able to speak German, they were able to go to German work camps during WWII. She worked in the kitchen and stole food by hiding it in her skirt to pass out as rations for the people in her town. My grandmother to this day is claustrophobic and afraid of thunder, because it triggers her to the memory of the sound of bombs being dropped on Dresden. Following this bombing, their family lived in displaced persons camps such as camp Ohio. My great grandmother and grandmother were able to pass through Ellis island, but my great grandmother's husband was forced to stay behind because he had contracted tuberculosis. I have other family members who are now living in America, but during this time immigrated to Brazil rather than America when they were unable to get a sponsor. Ever since I was little my parents have recounted how my grandmother came here with a dollar in her pocket for stamps, and was able to make a life for herself. Just last year my grandmother traveled to Germany to give her story to an author creating a book surrounding WWII. Their story of immigration is inspiring and I am proud that my middle name, Alla, is my grandmothers name because she is someone I greatly admire.