The John Brenkacs Orchestra


from the left, Albert Balog, Geza Duna, cimbalom Louis Balog, Rudy Rigo and John Brenkacs

there were the most famous orchestra in America making 8 records on the Columbia label and more than 25 with more other artist

Steve Piskor


I have been researching and advocating for Romani people for 50 years. I have written a documented history of the Hungarian Slovak Gypsies that came to America in the late 19th century bringing with them the traditional Hungarian Gypsy Music they and their ancestors played in Europe for hundreds of years. 

This book is available on Amazon and all online retail book locations worldwide.


This is the only history of these Roma ever written in detail about them. It tells you who they are, where they came from,where they settled and how the lost their heritage.

Roma, Romani and Gypsy

All three words say Gypsy.  Many today say the word Gypsy is a derogatory word used to describe Romani as thieves, con artist and every thing else associated with the word Gypsy that makes them look bad. There are many Roma that do not have a problem with the word "Gypsy".  It is not alway used in a derogatory manner.  Gypsy is often used to describe a lifestyle, clothing, horses and many others.  Today the Roma people are still having to explain their culture and heritage.  They are still the most discriminated race in history.  Many are losing their Heritage, language and music  to hide their race.  Gadja (non-Gypsy) must be educated to stop the discrimination,and let the Roma people be a part of this world.  The Roma people must change their ways and become a part of this world.  The word Gypsy is not the problem we face, its assimilation and Gadja and Roma accepting it.   

Cities in America

Braddock, PA


The Roma in Bradock, PA starting immigrating from Kassa, Hungary, today it is Kosice, Slovakia in the late 19th century.  There were many journalist who did stories on this settlement.  Roma Vongood Pohlatka purchased an entire block of homes for these Roma to live.

Cleveland, OH


The Roma from Cleveland, Ohio came from Kassa, Hungary in the late 19th century also. All of these Roma from  these cities all knew each other and a lot of them were related. There are many books, journals newspaper article written about all of them.

Detroit, MI


The Roma of Detroit first lived in the Delray area of Detroit.  All of the Roma from Braddock eventually moved to Detroit, Michigan.

Chicago, Ill


Many of the Roma from Cleveland moved to Chicago starting in the late 1930s. 

Homestead, PA


Homestead, PA most of these Roma came from Zemplin, Slovakia.  There was no difference from the Roma of Kassa and Zemplin, but there was a lot of tension and separation from the two. Today most of the Roma from these groups don't know if they are zemp or Kassa, most are both.

Youngstown, OH


Some of these Roma came from Youngstown, Ohio from Kassa, Hungary. They lived there for about 30 years in the early 20th century and most of them moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

New York, NY


The Roma from New York stayed there after immigrating from Kassa, Hungary.  Many traveled back and forth from New York to all the cities.

Detroit, MI


The Zemplin Roma of Detroit were the first Roma in Detroit immigrating from Slovakia to Homestead and Delray.

Homestead, PA


The Roma from Homestead and Braddock were only a couple of miles apart and often played music together. 

Braddock, PA


The Roma from Braddock grew to a large population and started moving out of Braddock in the 1930s.  By the 1960s all of them left Braddock, Pa.

Cleveland, OH


The population of the Roma in Cleveland became the largest.  Cleveland also had the largest population of Hungarians second to Budapest.

Chicago, Ill


By the 1940s Chicago population of Roma was growing and many from Cleveland moved to Chicago making Chicago the largest population.