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Birth Date
I was born in Varburg, Sweden. I'm the oldest of five girls. Growing up, father struggled to support our family with the little food and money we managed to get out of farming. Finally in 1902 we packed up what we could and traveled to America where we hoped to find jobs and start our new life. Grandmother was so kind to loan us each $25.00 in order to come to America. We're planning on getting jobs and finding temporary shelter then paying her back. I'm just anxious to see how it will unfold. -
Arriving at Ellis Island
I saw her and it felt so surreal. She stood tall and proud. After two weeks in the steerage it was a rather comforting sight. It meant we were free; thrilled is an understatement. I felt free, however, I was nervous for how it might be. Will they welcome us? Will we be able to earn any money? Where will we live? The questions were endless and yet, so were the opportunities. -
The process of Ellis Island
After waiting two days for the ferry we were finally standing in the Great Hall in line for all the examinations. I found it odd we were given numbered tags rather than actual name tags, but there were a lot of people. Whilie we were waiting in line an official approached us and explained that Elise couldn't continue on because she was crippled. Devastatingly mother had to go with her, meaning the rest of the girls did too. The test for trachoma, a contagious eye illness, was very painful. -
Father's Job
Father got a job helping to build the Flatiron building. He's making about $7 a week, carrying a lot of the responsibility. He says he meets many immigrants from Ireland, Scotland, and England at work. This is because many are willing to work more for less money. The conditions are dangerous; there's no safety percautions. But I guess we have to earn money some how so it's worth it. -
My Job
I'm working at a sewing a few blocks away from the Flatiron building site. I make about $3 a week; all together we make $10 each week which is just enough to somewhat get by. The working conditions aren't spectacular: humid, crowded, cluttered, long and tiring. The managers are contantly barking orders that most of the women cannot understand because we're still learning America's language. Like I said, it's work, so I'm grateful. -
Our Home
Times are tough right now and it's hard to find a nice place to stay with our wages. We were forced to settle for a tenement. We showed up to find several other immigrant families among us. It's crowded, run-down, and privacy is scarce. The water rarely works and word of disease have been going around so father is very careful with it. I'm not sure if we'll be able to send money back home or pay back grandmother. All we can do is continue to work hard and pray.
