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Life in Ireland
My name is Daimhin McCarthy and I live in Ireland. Here in my village life is cruel, filled with unreasonable landlords and poverty. Many people earn their living by growing crops. However, it is hard for their plants to flourish- the terrain is choked with rocks and have little nutrients to feed the crops. http://www.clareroots.com/PotatoDigger.gif -
Going to America
Because our crops failed to grow, we now have no money to pay our rent. Soon our landlord will be kicking us out of our home. Father announced that we would go to America and start anew with our own land to farm on. We had to sell much of our family heirlooms to pay for the tickets to America. I will not regret leaving Ireland- there are rumors that America is so vast, they are giving away land for free! http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/introduction.htm -
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Immigration and Westward Expansion
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Immigration Inspection
Our welcome to America was not the warmest. We had to pass a harsh inspection before we could step on American soil. They checked us for various diseases and defects before stamping our cards showing that we had passed the inspection and was free to proceed. http://www.nps.gov/elis/historyculture/history-of-ellis-island-from-1892-to-1954.htm -
Job Opportunities for the Irish
Because we were Irish, my parents had a hard time finding a job. They were turned away many times before my father found a place that would employ him. Even then, both my mother and father have to juggle various jobs at odd hours just to provide enough money for food and rent. http://www.fasttrackteaching.com/burns/Unit_4_Cities/No_Irish_sign_unknown.GIF -
Free Land in the West
After a year of living a harsh life in the city, Father decided that we are to move West. There was a new Act called the Homestead act that gave 160 acres of free land to any family as long as they built a house and farmed on that property for 5 years. This will be a chance to start the life we dreamed we would have in America. http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/ -
Our Own Land
The land we have worked and lived on for five years is finally ours. Father looked so tired but proud as he returned back home with the patent of the land in his hand. Our dream in Ireland has finally become a reality http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act/
