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Munich, Germany - birth place
My name is Edeltraud Aschenbrenner. This is where I was born. I lived in Munich, Germany until I was 14 years old with my parents and 2 younger brothers and sister. In 1850 we decided to move to New York city for my family to find jobs. -
Leaving Munich
Once my family heard about Ellis Island, we decided to move. We packed as many of our belongings and heirlooms as we could carry. Then we bought tickets and said goodbye to our friends and family. We loaded the boat for the 2 week trip to America. As we neared the end of the voyage people began to talk about something called The Staue of Liberty. I have never heard of it but they all said it was amazing. They proved to be right when I first caught a glimpse of this memorial. -
Entering Ellis Island
EnteringWhen we arrived in New York City I was shocked. Everywhere I looked there were people. People of every race, from all over the world were here at Ellis Island. I felt very small and scared. We had to go through medical and legal examinations, where we found out that my mother was sick. She was going to have to return to our home town alone and wait for us to save money. It was hard to see her leave but we had to carry on and start our new life. -
Starting out
Like many other families I had to raise my siblings by myself. My father had to work 12 hours a day building skyscrapers while I had to take care of and look after my siblings. We were low on money with the move so we are currently living in a small tenement in the slums. He made about $35 a month which is barely enough for a family of 5 to live off of. Yet we would have to make do. To help out I decided to find a job. -
First Job
I have found a job. I currently work as a Civil War nurse. The pay is bad and the work is gruesome but it is what I have to do. America is not what I expected; work is cheap and hard to find. I am looking forward to being able to change jobs and becoming stable financially. I have had to perform many surgeries and tend to many wounded men in the local hospital. It is a terrifying experience but its what I must do to kep my family alive. -
Triangle Waist Coat Factory
Triangle Waist Coat FactoryI was able to find new work. Here at the Triangle Waist Coat factory I make better income and can do something I feel comfortable with. All was going well, we were able to find a nicer home and were even able to begin sending home money to my mother. That was until the fire. I was enjoying my routine day at work when all the sudden a fire started. Thankfully I was able to make it out safely but some were not as lucky as I.
