Dominic Cantori 10 year old Dominic travels to America with two brothers from Italy.

Immigrants to America Immigrants came to America from many European and Asian countries to live a better life. Immigrants came to America from many European and Asian countries to live a better life was the year most immigrants came to America, and 90% of them passed through Ellis Island, speaking at least 30 different languages was the year most immigrants came to America, and 90% of them passed through Ellis Island, speaking at least 30 different languages. People came to America because they thought the streets were “paved with gold.” People came to America because they thought the streets were “paved with gold.” Library of Congress photo

Profile - Italy The Italians were the 4 th largest group of immigrants to travel to America. The Italians were the 4 th largest group of immigrants to travel to America. In Italy, poverty, low wages, and overcrowded cities caused immigrants to travel to America. In Italy, poverty, low wages, and overcrowded cities caused immigrants to travel to America. The Catholic Italians came to America in search of jobs, and opportunity. The Catholic Italians came to America in search of jobs, and opportunity. The first immigrants traveled on sailing ships, which took 40 days to 6 months to travel to America. The first immigrants traveled on sailing ships, which took 40 days to 6 months to travel to America. By the late 1800’s, immigrants went by steamships which took 6 to 32 days to travel to America. By the late 1800’s, immigrants went by steamships which took 6 to 32 days to travel to America. Most immigrants traveled steerage class to America. This meant little fresh air, watered-down food, and 1 bath area for several hundred people. Most immigrants traveled steerage class to America. This meant little fresh air, watered-down food, and 1 bath area for several hundred people.

Ellis Island Immigrant families may not have traveled together. Sometimes the father or older children went to America, found jobs, and sent money to the homeland for others to immigrate. Immigrant families may not have traveled together. Sometimes the father or older children went to America, found jobs, and sent money to the homeland for others to immigrate. People brought what they could carry in bundles, boxes, and leather sacks. Sometimes they would wear many layers of clothing. People brought what they could carry in bundles, boxes, and leather sacks. Sometimes they would wear many layers of clothing. At Ellis Island all steerage immigrants went to the Great Hall to be examined. At Ellis Island all steerage immigrants went to the Great Hall to be examined. Copyright 1908 Detroit Publishing Co.

A New World - America Immigrants did not want to become “public charge.” This meant they needed to find work quickly so the city did not have to pay their expenses. Immigrants did not want to become “public charge.” This meant they needed to find work quickly so the city did not have to pay their expenses. Italian immigrants came to America taking jobs in the large cities of New York and Boston. Italian immigrants came to America taking jobs in the large cities of New York and Boston. Library of Congress photo