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Immigration and Westward Expansion
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Coming to America and the Potato Famine
My name is Shannon O'rielly and my three brothers, my father, and I are coming to America to escape my mother's death and the potato famine. My mother has died and my father does not want the rest of us to get sick so we are leaving Ireland. My father hopes to find farm land and become rich. My brothers are also super excited to come to America and be able to own a substancial amount of land. I am not as excited as my family but I was very curious to see a more modern lifestyle. -
Ellis Island
When we got off the ship on Ellis Island, my family and I were shocked by how many people wanted to be in America. There were lines everywhere and lots of exams. My father said that we were very lucky to speak english because thats what the people examining us were speaking. We were all very lucky to pass the medical examen. -
In America
Once in America, I was completely awed by how many people were crowding the streets. There were so many shops and building. In Ireland -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20th, 1862. It was an act that stated that 160 acres of land would be given to a western settler. To get the land, you would have to stay on the land for five years. My father heard of this and immediatly dragged me and my two brothers to west so that we could get the land we dreamed of. -
Older Brother Dies
I had been making a dinner with the rabbit my father had caught when my younger brother and father came running in. They carried my eldest brother of 18 that had just been badly trampled when he fell off of his horse. He died within the hour. -
Transcontinental Railroad
After the death of my eldest brother, my younger brother decided he didn't want to work on the land anymore. He decided to go work on the transcontinental railroad. He worked with chinese immigrants that were also trying to make a living. -
Getting Married
Once I turned 19, my father told me I had to get married within the year. I met a nice Irish immigrant that was a farmer. He had lived on the land for four years. My father immediatly set us up and I married him on June 23. -
Expatriation Act of 1868
In 1868 at act called the Expatriation Act was enacted. It stated than an women married to an immigrant would lose their citizenship. Unfortunately, I lost my citizenship because I was married to an Irish man. I had to regain citizenship quickly so that no further damage was done.
