Bound for America! Discovering the Trails of America’s Immigrants

"You, Whoever You Are" by Walt Whitman You, whoever you are!... All you continentals of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, indifferent of place! All you on the numberless islands of the archipelagoes of the sea! All you of centuries hence when you listen to me! All you each and everywhere whom I specify not, but include just the same! Health to you! good will to you all, from me and America sent! Each of us is inevitable, Each of us is limitless—each of us with his or her right upon the earth, Each of us allow'd the eternal purports of the earth, Each of us here as divinely as any is here.

Who were these individuals America welcomed?

Why did they come?

What were their experiences?

And where did they go once they arrived in America?

Today, we will trace the steps of immigrants from long ago.

To discover what it might have been like to be…

bound for America

What is an immigrant? Immigrant: Settlers in a new country Emigrant: Those who leave their home

Why did these people emigrate from their homes?

Reasons for Emigration War Famine Natural disaster Discrimination Sickness Jobs Cheap land Desire to prosper Promise of freedom

Emigrating wasn’t easy, however Death Forced military duty Lacked special permits Little money Little food Long travels Families left behind No promises they could stay once they arrived

Why did these immigrants choose America?

It was the “Golden Land” of opportunities

How did immigrants travel to America?

Modes of Transportation Ships Trains Wagons On foot

Many immigrants used each mode of transportation to arrive

It might have taken at least 40 days to travel across the Atlantic

Sometimes it even took as long as 6 months!

Ways to travel on board a ship First class Second class Third class Steerage

Steerage was a popular way to travel

What would it be like to travel in steerage? Large rooms in the belly of the ship Extreme temperatures No fresh air No light Crowded One bathroom available No working sinks No privacy Sickness

What could people do during their travels? Go on deck Play Visit Have church services Help with chores Practice English

What were some of the problems of these sea voyages? Shipwrecks Fires Diseases Unsanitary Overcrowded

What did immigrants bring with them? Foods Feather quilts Mattresses Pillows Fancy clothes Mementoes Pictures

What happened once they arrived? Doctor inspections Inspections at Ellis Island or Angel Island Answered questions Some turned away Others free to make America their home!

Where did immigrants move? Many stayed near their ports of entry Others settled the West The Homestead Act of 1862 gave 160 acres of land to these new settlers Immigrants found out about this “free” land from family and advertising flyers from the government

Many people today have ancestors who were once bound for America

What is your family’s story?