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The Birth of Nick Murphy
I was born on March 1st, 1914 in Galway, a coastal city in ireland. My family is not rich nor poor, and gets by well enough. My father and mother are tailors, running a small shop in downtown Galway. I fear I may miss my home, along with mother and my younger sister. My Father is coming with me to this new land, America. I hope that my father and I can build up enough money to pay for my mother and sister's passage to the new continent. I leave this place for a better life, and to bring fortune -
the birth of Nicholas Murphy continued
to my family. I write this journal to remember my life, and my immigration to America -
The voyage to Ellis island Cont.
this to be false. I want to work an skyscrpaers once I get there, and be part of the country. my father wants to start another tailor shop, but I think this is boring. we have been tailors all of our lives, why not try something new? -
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The Voyage to Ellis Island
I dearly hope this trip is not a demonstration of what america will be like. We are put in the steerage with other immigrants. It is very cramped and hot in here. I spend most of my time above decks, to avoid the stifledness of the steerage below. My father and I remain healthy, although some aboard are sick. I am 15 years old now and my father and I have $50 and a trunk of possessions each to start us off. I hope it is enough. I have been told that racism is rampant in America. I wish -
Living in a Tenement
Tragey has struck! In a freak accident, some clothing at my dad's tailor shop caught on fire and burned the building out! Now he is back to square one, and we are both depending on my jobs for sustenance. we had to give up our apartment and mov into a tenement. it is awful here. the floors, walls and food is dirty, and we live in a particularly crowded section of the slums. I can't believed this happened, we have lost nearly everything. I hope we can still come back to what we had. -
Getting a job on the Empire state building
I am so excited! it was my desire to be a skyscraper worker for so long. I have been an odd job man for a while. I helped repair the shop, now we just have to restock it. People here have been kind to us. Maybe they just respect a pair of working souls. Either way, I got a job on the Empire state building! I have no fear of heights, so I will be working near the top too! it is finally time for me to leave my mark on the new york skyline. I hope my dad will be proud, and my mom and sister! -
The Death of Nicholas Murph
<written in another man's handwriting>
I'm so sorry Mr.Murphy. Your son was a great boy, always eager to please and help out. today he fell off of the upper reaches of the empire state building where he was working. He was found on the sidewalk, dead on impact. it was very quick and painless. this is a rare thing, I am so sorry it happene to you, especially after your fire a while back. the luckof the Irish doesn't sem to follow you. your son's montly wages will be delivered tomorrow.
