United States

   Estimated Gypsy population: over two million, the majority being descendants of the Kalderash and other Vlah immigrants. English Romanies and Irish Travelers are also found in North America.

   It is thought that Romanies began to arrive in the Americas during the late 15th or early 16th century from Europe. Many came during the period of colonization. Transportation from England to North America began in 1614. Aside from the forced deportations, many Romany families decided to come to the New World in order to seek new horizons and escape the persecution they were facing in their countries.

   In 1908 the Machvano Adams family founded the National Gypsy Association of America, and in 1928 Steve Kaslov, a Kalderash, set up the Red Dress Gypsies' Association. Attempts to set up a national organization in the United States have been hampered by the vast geographical distances between centers. However, more recently the American Romani Alliance was established by Ian Hancock and John Nickels. Among its activities is a family counseling center in New York for newly arrived Roma.

   See also Canada; South and Central America.