I have always thought that those immigrant ancestors who traveled from their home country to another country to make it their new home were very brave people. I don’t think I could have accomplish what my ancestors did. Recently, I did research in the process many ancestors did go through in order to leave one country for another. Based on that research, we are going to discuss the process.
There were many reasons our ancestors made the difficult decision to leave – poverty, religious persecution, etc. Once the decision was made, paying for the steamer’s ticket was next. Sometimes, relatives who had already arrived in the new country would send money for passage; other times the soon-to-be immigrant would need to come up with the fare.
There were three levels of passage – first class, second class, and steerage. Most of our ancestors traveled in steerage. This was the cheapest fare, normally $25 – $35. This was a great sum of money for many and could take years to accumulate. Some countries required a passport before a ticket could be purchased. Once the ticket was purchased, the next hurdle was to travel to the port where the ship was docked. This could mean by horse and buggy, train (another expenditure), or walking. Depending on the distance, this could take days.
Once in the port city, the traveler may need to find lodging as the ship may not leave for a day or so. This would entail more expenditure. Many port cities were notorious for targeting travelers. The city’s pickpockets, swindlers, and greedy businessmen would try to take advantage of these travelers. Many travelers came from small villages and these larger cities would be overwhelming to them.
If they managed to make it to departure day, they would arrive at port, present their necessary paperwork, take a medical exam (if required), and, if everything went well, he or she would board the ship. The journey took about two weeks and the accommodations were horrible. Men and women were separated into different quarters. Children would be in the women’s quarters. Beds were iron bunks with thin mattresses. Many slept in their clothes. Meals were meager. Personal hygiene was done with seawater as drinking water was limited.
My immigrant ancestor came in through Ellis Island. So before the ship docked, baggage was brought up. Before reaching the harbor, the ship was quarantined and a quick inspection was conducted to be sure no one showed obvious signs of a contagious disease. If all went well, the ship would dock, first and second class passengers would disembark, and those in steerage would board barges to go to Ellis Island.
Once at Ellis Island, they would enter the main building, receive a numbered identity tag, deposit their luggage, and line up in the Registry Room for a medical exam. If passed, they could enter the U.S.; if failed, they would be sent to the medical room for a more thorough exam and could be put into the hospital or detained. If they passed, they would travel to the money exchange to exchange their currency for U.S. dollars. Then to the railroad ticket office to purchase (if they didn’t have one already) a ticket to their destination.
Passenger lists are an important part of discovering your immigrant ancestor. Sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, Ellis Island, Castle Garden, and National Archives have passenger lists to search. Check out our blog on passenger lists for more information.
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