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My Birth
I, Kong Tian Ken, was born in Beijing, China. For us, China was all we knew about. Living in China was a different way of life than in America. We were cut off from the rest of the world; it was only a couple hundred years before I was born that the Chinese didn't even know there was more to the world. That is how huge the empire is, but nevertheless, I was born into a family of people who wanted adventure, and that's just one of the reasons that we came to America. -
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My Journey from China to Citizenship in America
All in all, coming to America was the most successful opportunity that I have ever been able to take. America has made me a true man; I have learned to take care of my family physically and financially. I am very happy to be an American citizen. -
We Journey East
On this day my family (my mother, my father, and my 11 year old sister) and I decided to make the adventurous decision to move to America. My father wanted to bring us to America because he had heard that many Chinese men were leaving to find a precious metal in California- gold. My father chose to move now because with him working I will have to take care of my mother and sister, and I am finally old enough (15 years old). This journal is so my family can know how their ancestors immigrated. -
We Reach the Free Land
Angel Island After traveling on a steam ship for 11 days, we finally reached San Francisco. The immigration station that we came to dock in was called "Angel Island." We got off of the boat and approached the building where we would enter the United States of America through. After numerous tests and examinations, I suppose they were to inhibit diseases from entering America, we boarded another boat and made our way to the mainland. -
I Move into Chinatown
More on the History of San Franciso's Chinatown A guide from Angel Island directed us towards Chinatown, which was a settlement in San Francisco composed of Chinese immigrants. The idea was that we would feel comfortable living in a town that we could buy and sell foods, clothing, and houses that we were used to. Our guide helped us start renting a house, and we went inside. I was very excited for this because as much as I loved adventure, I knew that I would miss my hometown of Beijing. Chinatown allowed me to keep my culture in my heart. -
At the End of the Rainbow There is a Pot of Gold.
By now I am 16 years old, and coming to America has finally paid off for my family. My father had been desperately searching for any trace of gold in California. He was dedicated to discovering it; sometimes we wouldn't see him for weeks because he was always out on an exhibition. However, finally my father struck gold. We were then able to make the rent payments that we had missed, and we could afford luxuries such as ice cream, and cold beverages. This was a great start to our lives in the US. -
I Start Work on the Transcontinental Railroad
When I was 27 years old, I started my job working with the Central Pacific Railroad Company building the Transcontinental Railroad. I took the job because as my father got older, he no longer could work so I had to support the family. We started in Sacramento, California, and made our way to Promontory Summit, Utah. I had a few near death experiences- like building through the rough Sierra Nevada's, and being ambushed by the a Cheyenne tribe. It took 7 years until we were finished.
