It was very difficult for immigrants to North America from Central Europe. The absence of a social system, ignorance of the new environment and ignorance of the language motivated them to establish self-help associations, in which they paid a certain amount of regular membership fees in the event of an accident at work, illness or death.
Gradually, the task of self-help was joined by other activities, especially in the field of education, aimed at maintaining national awareness, whether Slovak or Ruthenian. Most associations were formed on a religious basis, faith was the basic link between them. The largest associations founded at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century have survived to the present day, fulfilling the task of continuously maintaining national and cultural traditions.
“Data throughout this interactive webmap were created using QGIS® and Nmaps® platform and are the intellectual property of authors and are used herein under license. Copyright ©Martin Javor. All rights reserved. For more information contact javorisko@gmail.com”.
For further using cite:
Javor, M., Michalko, M. Spolky Slovákov a Rusínov v Amerike v rokoch 1883 – 1960 [map]. 2021. “Interactive Map: 2021”. https://map.nmaps.pl/geosupport.TxI6sj/society(generated Feb 14, 2021)
The interactive map of Slovak and Ruthenian associations in North America is the result of cooperation between two enthusiasts of historical geography from the University of Prešov in Prešov. Martin Javor provided a database, which Miloslav Michalko transformed into an interactive map.
The map shows almost three hundred Slovak and Ruthenian associations grouped into several logical layers. Associations are shown on the map according to their affiliation to their parent association, ie the First Slovak Catholic Union, the First Slovak Catholic Women’s Union, the Slovak National Association, the Union of American Greek Catholic Catholic Brotherhoods, or the Slovak Evangelical Union. For each association, the year of establishment, affiliation to the parent association, founding members, or the association ribbon or emblem, if Kasigard has it, is displayed.
We will be very happy if you add another association to our database, resp. other information that can complete the comprehensive picture of our societies in America.