Boris,
My Belgian ancestory comes from my father's side of the family. My great- grandfather, Victor Mommaerts and a nephew of his came over together. They settled in eastern Wisconsin. One in Green Bay, the other in De Pere.
Legend has it, the two had saved for years to pay for the boat trip. They lost it all gambling a few nights before they were suppose to leave. They were still able to come to America by working on the ship.
I spoke with my father this morning. He's 78 years old now. He told me as a child he was told to tell people he was walloon. The flemish were "lower class" people and you didn't want anyone to know you were flemish.
He also remembers his father telling people he was dutch Belgian. Looks like I may need to speak with other relatives to find out what the truth might be.
My grandmother was also Belgian. Her name was Euclide.
Dave