-
My Birth Date
I became an Irish Immigrant on Febuary 25, 1852. I lived in Irland my whole life until then. I came to America to make some money for my parents. They were in a horrible poverty state in life at the time and I needed to do something, only there was nothing to do in Irland. I was fourteen when I came. I had heard there was a lot to do in America so I decided to come and work and I did. I saved my family, but believe me, it was not easy. A lot happens in a lifetime and that's the reason for this. -
My Ride to Ellis Island
Interactive Tour of Ellis IslandMy experience to America was unforgettable. The ship was filthy, the ride was rough, and many people got sick, including me, but we still danced on the ship at times and did other fun things that wore us down. Not enough to keep us quiet when we seen the Statue of Libety of course but it still was tiring. When the boat passed the Statue of Libery, everyone was yelling and crying. I just stood in wonder. I had never seen something so astonishing before! We all stared at what was to be impossible. -
The Immagration Station
Once I got off the ship, an officer gave me a tag. The officers told me were to go next which was the luggage room. Then, I went to the stairs that led to the Registry Room where doctors were inspecting everyone who went by to look for diseases. It was overwealmingly lound when I walked in to the Great Hall. Everyone was doing something. I just stood in line untilI I got to a desk and an officer took a look at me and asurred me that I didn't need further review. From there, I went to the county. -
The Civil War
The Civil War began right after Lincoln was elected president. There was a lot of tension between the North and South states caused by a conflict over how much control the government had over the states, industralization, trade, and slavery. Many people were a part of the war and they were of all ages. I was 22 at the time and decided to go help out as a nurse for the Union. There were many young boys who I watched die, or cry out in agony. The whole thing was a very horrific and bloody time. -
Civil Rights Act
During this time, the Civil Rights law was passed and it allowed me and everyone else who was not a white american to have the equal rights as them. All men, women, blacks, and whites had the same rights. President Jackson's veto bill was overthrown by a two thirds majority in both congress houses. His atttitude had caused growth in the Radical Rebulicans which helped us out a lot. It was extremely nice after the law was passed. Most eveyone was happier after. -
The Great Chicago Fire
The Chicago FireOn an early October day, the great fire in Chicago, that lasted two days, began after a very hot and dry summer. I was working in a clothing factory at the time. We just got started when someone shouted "fire". Everyone went balistic and everything was so hectic. I got out of the building in time, somehow, and seen the massive and out of control fire. It devouard everything in its path, killing up to 300 people. It left 100,000 people homeless and devastated and I was one of them.
