Victor Sinadinoski

Big Sky Macedonians Victor Sinadinoski

Thousands of Macedonians called Montana their home during the first few decades of the 20th century. They left their manufacturing jobs in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio and flocked into Montana, where they joined thousands of others laboring under the open sky to create one of America's most extensive railroad networks. For many of these migrant workers, their stay in Montana was brief - they eventually returned to the Midwest or to their native Macedonia. However, some Macedonians remained in Big Sky Country forever. Big Sky Macedonians explores the immigration of Macedonians to Montana in two parts. The first part analyzes data and trends for 645 Macedonians who ventured into Montana for employment, while the second part journeys through the lives of those Macedonians who sealed their fate in Montana. Sinadinoski offers a comprehensive and personal overview of a segment of Macedonian-American history that has hitherto been largely ignored.