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Voyage
The German coastline was never my home, which perhaps made it easier leaving my beautiful country, yet sorrow still filled my heart. If only I had found a husband in time, then I would not have had to embark on a treacherous journy to America, a land of unknown riches and opportunities. Die deutsche Küste war nie meine Heimat, die vielleicht meine schöne Land verlassen erleichtert, noch Trauer noch mein Herz gefüllt. Wenn nur ich rechtzeitig einen Ehemann gefunden hatte, dann hätte ich nicht a -
First Glimpse of America
My first glimpse of America was releaving, as the four weeks it took to get to this new land was long and dismal. Third class was where my family - only my mother and brother as my father died long ago - was placed in. Our money has now been diminished to just a few marks. Hopefully, the sight of this statue will give me enough courage to endure the rest of my way to America. -
Ellis Island
We came to Ellis Island, and I, finally relieved of that disgusting ship, sighed heavily. But what was to come would be even more harrowing than the voyage to America. The inspections were crude, as if the workers had decided to slack off the whole time. My brother and I, coughing from the smoke of a man with a pipe, were put in quarantine by a worker speaking quickly and in a normal loudness - which could not be heard over the roar of massive crowds. We watched my mother go, hand in hand. -
Released From Ellis Island
Eventually, for reasons unbeknownst to me, my brother and I were released from Ellis Island. Ironically, we were sick at this time with some sort of mild cold. We were exstatic to finally be going to America! -
The Factory
I was astonished how much my first job made me feel satisfied with myself. Growing up on the farm, I wasn't used to the city life in New York anyways, and it stressed my out. But getting a job in the factory was necessary for my family to sustain living for now. It was dark, dirty, and loud where I worked also. My hands hurt each and every day when I came home. The women at the factory didn't like me either, for I didn't speak English very well. Hopefully things would get better. -
Moving West
I had suffered long enough in that wretched factory, and I was finished. I'd earned enough money at long last to move out west with my family, try to find some land and perhaps a horse or two. Wisconsin was our best bet, according to the other Germans we had befriended and their families. All our belongings were packed up and we were ready to begin a new life, one where we were happier. -
Ownership of Land
Wisconsin was a cold place in winter, but very hot during summer, with little spring inbetween. Throughout all the months we had spent moving and settling, then moving again, we had yet to find any land we could afford until February. My mother cried, and my brother and I celebrated with dancing and food. Our life's goal had been complete, and we made the farm as much like our home as possible.
