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Leaving Italy
Our family farm was gone, my brother had called me to America, and Sicily was falling apart. The foreign politicians were creating laws against the poor. It was time to leave. My parents had decided to move North and my brother had gone to America the year prior. I used all my savings for passage to the New World. My ship took me and I soon was sailing away forever. -
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Immigration Timeline
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Arriving in New York
I was here! The statue was a sign of freedom. The Island was approaching quickly. My boat filled with immigrants from Italy slowly moved forward. I was nervous, but knew that I was true and had done everything right. I walked into the great melting pot on Ellis Island and was so happy to be finally living my dream. -
Meeting my Brother
At last! I saw Antonio's face in the crowds. He was searching for me too. Our eyes meet and I ran to embrace him. He had left Sicily about a year before and I had missed him so. He had gotten a factory job to save some money for our trip. We had not seen the other in over a year and I was so ever happy. -
Getting my Job
I had a job in a clothing factory. Many young women like me stood in long rows. We worked in rows sewing blouses, pants, and dresses. It was hard and hot, but it was earning me money for the farm. We stayed in small tenements. They were dark and crowded with me and my brother sharing the space. -
Finally enough savings to move West
We had earned enough. My brother, who worked for over a year, and I had enough to buy land, supplies, an our passage. We would head South to purchase supplies then get on the train to California. When we bought newland we would have just enough to start a farm and bring some Italian culture with us. -
The Chinese Exclusion Act
Wow! It had been twenty years since this act had been enforced and ten since it had ended. Even now people were being affected. The woman we bought supplie from told us her story. She had been saving money to go to America to get away from famine and disease when she learned it had been banned. Her money had to be spent on nessecieties to live in the famine. Overjoyed when she learned the ban was over she started saving again. By 1895 She left China and came to America. -
SUPPLIES STOLEN
Our cart! It was being pulled through the crowd as we bought some bread. All over our supplies and posesions (flour, clothes, grain, and a little money) had been on it. I was angry that we had left it unattended for a few moments. At least we still had some of our saving with us. That would be enough to buy u passage across the country. -
Train Ride
With our savings that we were going to use for land once we got to California, we bought tickets for the train. IThe tickets took all of our money, but we didn't have any other option. It was long and wonderful as we saw the new country. All we would have when we got to California was hope, ourselves, and our talents. -
Saving at the Restraunt
We had arrived. The warm, sweet air and rich soil surrounded us. The only thing we needed was money. Money for our farm and supplies. We soon found jobs and board at the local boardhouse. We worked in the restraunt as dishwashers and I shared my Nona's soup recipes. It was fun, and we got to know the owners well. They gave us food and board. -
The Farm
We had done it. The farm of our dreams. We had saved money over the past 10 months to buy farmland. The rich, sweet soil was under our feet. I walked out to the grove where we would plant fruit trees. Antonio started building the cabin and I, Alessia, started planting crops. It would be wonderful. I only wished that our parents could see it too.
