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JOURNEY BY SEA
The way to a new life for our
immigrant ancestors most often entailed an arduous
transatlantic voyage to the United States. Most of our family members
traveled in steerage class, and the trip was generally
an uncomfortable one. For most, though, it was well
worthwhile as they were able to escape the hardships that had befallen
them in the countries of their birth. As they entered New York Harbor
and gazed at the Statue of Liberty, they realized that they would have
a chance to begin a new life.
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A SHORT HISTORY OF
U.S. IMMIGRATION
Remember the famous poem by Emma Lazarus called
“The New Colossus”?
"Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
We know, of course, that this is more of an ideal, and that throughout our
nation's history, such opportunities were not always available to those who
wanted to make the United States their new home. The ease or difficulty of this
endeavor often depended on economics and the political climate in the U.S., and
on the laws passed by the government that often reflected the mood of the
nation.
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Castle Garden: The
First Entry Point to America
Before Ellis Island served as the
gateway for our immigrant ancestors to enter the
United States, most of them entered a location once
used as a fortress, situated at the tip of the island
of Manhattan named Castle Garden.
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ELLIS ISLAND:
PORT OF IMMIGRATION
More than twelve million
immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island
between 1892 and 1954. Most of them arrived in steerage class
and were often the last to leave their ship. They would board a
barge-like vessel that would take them directly to Ellis Island.
Once each immigrant disembarked, they would enter into the Great Hall, and from
there queue up so that they could begin the inspection process.
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HEALTH AND IMMIGRATION
Many of those who immigrated
arrived at sites such as Ellis Island with a variety
of health conditions, both physical , e.g. trachoma,
and mental. They were generally screened for such
infirmities at the port of entry. If the condition was
deemed significant enough, it would be cause enough to
send the person back to the country they emigrated
from, much to the dismay of family members who awaited
them.
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