Nick Friesen’s family were Dutch Mennonites who migrated from Prussia to Ukraine in 1789. When the Mennonites came under attack during the Russo Japanese War, the Friesens moved to Siberia, but they lost everything when Stalin came to power. In search of freedom and a better livelihood, they immigrated to America in 1929. Upon arrival in San Francisco, the family of six was taken to Angel Island. The next day, after a physical examination and interview, the family was formally admitted into the country.