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Moving West
Hello. My name is Colleen Fitzroy. I am a 14 years old and I have just decided to move to America from Ireland. My father moved there to take advantage of the Home Stead Act about a year ago. Soon after my father left, my mother became very ill. She past away about one month ago. The farm is very hard to run, espessially because of the potato famine. -
Arrive in America
After a long and grueling boat ride, we finally made it to America. The journey did include some hardships. Aside from the boat being over crowded, there were multiple fatalities. During the trip I developed dry skin, and was shunned on the boat because people thought that I may give them this disease. -
Released from Detention Facility
Me and my two siblings were released from the detention facility on Ellis Island after about a month of detainment. They detained me because they did not beleive that my father was already in America. And my brother, though young, did not get to skip being questioned as well. His answers were a bit different than mine of course, so that did not help with our story being believable. -
Discrimination in Work
I seem to be having a very hard time finding a job. I knew getting a job would be difficult because of the fact that I am so young, and that I am a woman. But there seems to be discrimination against the Irish. Finding a job is nearly impossible. -
Gain Enough Money to Get West
After five hard months of work plucking chickens, I finally have enough money for a wagon to move west. Cpnsidering how little the job payed, it is a miracle that it added up to be enough. -
Brother Grows ill During Journey
My brother has been a bit ill for a few months now. Today it was at an all time high. He was dehydrated and over heated. The virus was too much for his little body. My little 10 year old brother was taken from me, now to be with my mother in heaven. -
Arrive in West
Today we arrived in the Nebraska Territory. I have finally made it. It really didn't feel as glorious as I expected. The land was beautiful of course, but the feeling of losing my brother was still present. -
Arrive at Father's Farm
Today I made it to my fathers farm. He had not known we were coming, nor did he know of my mother's death. Let alone my brother's. He was overjoyed to see me and my sister, but that joy was quickly replaced with grief from the news of my mother and brother. After some time, we unloaded my wagon and moved my things into the little farm home.
