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The potato famine has made it so that we are sick, starving, and out of money. The landlord burned down our house, and there is no religious freedom. My brother and I are going to emigrate from Ireland to America to see our family.
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On the way to America, my brother caught cholera. He was sick for three days, and then he died. The boats conditions here are very insanitary. Diseases spread like wildfire here.
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Finally got to America! I was very excited to see my family, but my new living conditions are just as bad as Ireland. It’s crowded, there’s no running water, and I’m afraid a fire might happen because the cheap paint the landlord uses is so flamable
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Since I need to save up money, I’ve started work as a nanny for a wealthy family. It pays fairly well and the working conditions are good. The rest of my family has to work in a factory. They always come home tired and get very little pay.
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Our cramped apartment has burned down. Someone must have forgotten about their kitchen stove. In any case, people are highly prejudiced against the Irish in the city and we need to find somewhere else to live.
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Since the American government is giving out free land, my family has decided to go out West. I hope to start a Catholic school out there. Lot's of other people haved decided to move West as well. We are taking wagons since we cannot afford train tickets, and our wagon train stretches out as far as the eye can see.
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There is so much land out here in the Oklahoma territory! Many settlers raced for land, it was amazing. Now that I have my land, I hope to get the school started. The soil here is good for farming, and my family and I are very happy.
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The West is so different from Ireland and the city; it’s hard to get used to. My house isn’t very big, just one room, but it’s better than the tenant apartments. I am almost done with my school, I cannot wait to get it started. The land out here is so flat and open, you can see wheat for miles on end.
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I finally started the school I wanted to. In the city, my little sibling couldn’t go to many schools because they didn’t allow Catholics. Now, those children can come to school here.
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Life out West is just like I thought, maybe better. My school is thriving, I have a warm house, and I can freely practice my religion. My journey in America had some ups and downs in it, but in the end everything turned out all right.
