Mary Driscoll 14 year old Mary travels across the ocean from Ireland, to join her sisters living in America. View the slide show to learn more about Mary.

Immigrants to America Immigrants came to America from many European and Asian countries to live a better life. Immigrants came to America from many European and Asian countries to live a better life was the year most immigrants came to America, and 90% of them passed through Ellis Island…speaking at least 30 different languages was the year most immigrants came to America, and 90% of them passed through Ellis Island…speaking at least 30 different languages. People came to America because they thought the streets were “paved with gold.” People came to America because they thought the streets were “paved with gold.” Copyright 1910 Detroit Publishing Co.

Profile - Ireland Nearly 1 ½ million Irish immigrants came to America in the 1840’s and 1850’s. Nearly 1 ½ million Irish immigrants came to America in the 1840’s and 1850’s. People were starving in Ireland because potatoes, their main source of food, were diseased and the crops failed. People were starving in Ireland because potatoes, their main source of food, were diseased and the crops failed. Without food or work, the Irish came to America for jobs and food. Without food or work, the Irish came to America for jobs and food. The first immigrants traveled on sailing ships which took 40 days to 6 months to travel to America. The first immigrants traveled on sailing ships which took 40 days to 6 months to travel to America. By the late 1800’s immigrants came to America by steamship, which took 6 to 32 days. By the late 1800’s immigrants came to America by steamship, which took 6 to 32 days. Most immigrants came to America traveling in steerage class. This meant little air, watered down food, many people with disease, and 1 bath for several hundred people. Most immigrants came to America traveling in steerage class. This meant little air, watered down food, many people with disease, and 1 bath for several hundred people.

Ellis Island Immigrant families may or may not have traveled together to America. Sometimes the father or older children went to America, found jobs, and sent money to the homeland for others to immigrate. Immigrant families may or may not have traveled together to America. Sometimes the father or older children went to America, found jobs, and sent money to the homeland for others to immigrate. People brought whatever they could carry in bundles, boxes, and leather sacks. Sometimes they would wear many layers of clothing. People brought whatever they could carry in bundles, boxes, and leather sacks. Sometimes they would wear many layers of clothing. At Ellis Island all the steerage immigrants went to the Great hall to be examined. At Ellis Island all the steerage immigrants went to the Great hall to be examined. Picture from New York Public Library

A New World - America Most of the Irish immigrants had little money when they arrived in America, so they stayed on the East Coast and found jobs in the New York City. Most of the Irish immigrants had little money when they arrived in America, so they stayed on the East Coast and found jobs in the New York City. Irish immigrants were hired in many of the clothing mills and conditions in these mills were dangerous because of long hours, unsafe equipment, and no labor unions to protect workers. Irish immigrants were hired in many of the clothing mills and conditions in these mills were dangerous because of long hours, unsafe equipment, and no labor unions to protect workers. Copyright 1900 Detroit Publishing Co.