Joseph Pranulis

Joseph Pranulis was born in Lithuania about 1875. He married Julia Surkiute (born about 1890). On April 14, 1906, he left for the United States from Antwerp, Belgium, arriving in New York on either April 23 or April 25 aboard the SS Finland (pictured below), and came alone. There were other relatives sailing near that time, but these have not yet been fully researched. His wife, Julia, joined him in 1912.

In the United States, Joseph and Julia settled in Waterbury and had two children, Joseph (1917), and Albina (1919). About 1922, Julia determined that she wanted to go home, and Joseph and Julia returned to Lithuania with their children to re-establish the family farm. Their son returned to the United States in 1938 while Joseph, Julia, and Albina remained on the farm in Lithuania. After their son returned to the United States, their only contact with him was via mail.

After World War II, the farm was nationalized by the Soviet Union.

Joseph died in Lithuania.