Scott
Do you know religion of your ancestor?
Might I assume Hebrew/Jewish. If yes, try
www.jewishgen.orgDo try to find your father's baptismal record as it should have his parents place of birth. Do you know Lena's maiden name?
I'm sure you know that one starts going backwards generation thru generation
collecting records.
Have you looked in
www.ellisislandrecords.org Schuss, Sam 22 1881-1882 1904