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Anna Moretti
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Poverty
I am Anna Moretti. My husband, Enrico, and I lived in Sicily, Italy. We have been struggling with money. There's just not enough jobs, resources, and food to support the whole country with such a large population. People are living in terrible conditions with not enough money due to higher taxes. On top of everthing there are disease of cholera and malaria spreading throughout. Enrico and I have talked about creating a better life in America. -
Homestead Act
The homestead act gave the ability of 160 acres of free land in America. This new land would mean more people moving West and that would create more jobs - especially on the railrods due to urbanization. Our good friends, the Rossi's, immigrated to New York just this spring. We have heard back from them that it's been going fine! So Enrico and I will get prepared to leave this year in the fall. -
Journey Over Sea
Along with us we brought practically nothing and there were so many people packed in one boat. I was seasick the entire trip but the talk of streets paved in gold, free land, and jobs kept spirits up. We have heard that the roads are paved in gold and that America is the land of liberty! -
Arrival to Liberty
From such a miserable trip we finally could see the huge lady of liberty. She was so tall and holding the torch to the "Golden Door" of America. It was an amazing relieve to have made all this way to our new life! When setting foot on Ellis Island there were so many people. First we went through a quick medical exam and luckily we didn't have to wait very long before going thru legal inspection. However the people who were sick, injured, or illegal were sent all the way back home. -
Seperation
Once we arrived I stayed in New York with Antonio and Maria Rossi, our good friends. Enrico went West to find the only work he could on the railroads. But I couldn't stand being apart for so long. He was making some money and I kept a small income from the clothing factory I worked at. The new immigrants don't make as much money as the Americans and it's not fair that we are discriminated. We are making more money than in Italy but still don't have quite enough yet to settle down ourselves. -
Second Oppurtunity
I hated the the sweatshop clothing factories. They were busy, dangerous places to work that gave low wages. I push through everyday thinking of Enrico. One day I get a letter from him. It said that he had made a ton of savings over the year and that we could move to the West for land to live together! I tell the Rossi's the good news and invite them along but Maria explains that she and Antonio love it here in New York City. -
War With Indians
After the agreement to settle west, Enrico decided where to move. Originally the plan was to make a living farming but news of brutal Native Americans killing innicent whites scared me since in 1864 when tension between Indians and America started in the Sand Creek Massacre. I told him that I felt unsafe if threatened by Indians so he suggested fishing in California. It was a spectacular idea and so it was set! -
Good bye
I sadly say goodbye to Maria and Antonio and thank them for everything.They wish me good luck, I was on my way to California to meet Enrico in the city San Fransisco! We decided that we wouldn't move to the rich farm land with brutal Native American wars, but actually find our way to the fishing communities on the West Coast! -
New Neighbors
We have settled in to the new house and jobs nicely. Enrico has done great making fishnets and helping on the crew of small fishing boats. All his expierence from being a fisherman in Sicily helps us come into the town welcomed. The majority of families are Italian and were fishers too which is great! I am glad to have moved out of the melting pot in New York and out of the overcrowded slums and tenements. We have assimilated into American culture without losing our Italian connections. -
Started the Change
The rest of my family has come to join us in California. My brother and sister bring their kids and we have reunited as a family. It feels so good to see everyone again. Enrico and I decided to have a family so now we have a 6 month old baby boy named Angelo. Now my family has a better life. This truly is the land of oppurtunities if you can come over with nothing and make such a great change in your life! I look forward to raising Angelo and growing old in America!
