Immagration Scrapbook Matt G

My name is William Early, I am from lower Ireland, Waterford to be exact, the year is1860 and the effects of the potato famine were still felt. I am 22 years old. My religion is catholicand that is not working out well here in ireland. Ireland: During the potato famine several family members were lost. It was all caused because ofthe anti-catholic laws put in place. I lost my mother and two brothers to the famine. I cannot wait until I am able to get to America, it is known as the golden land ofopportunity. I cannot go to Europe because I only speak English, and my country has badrelations with them. I am hoping to get a better life and job but I am scared that I will be stuck asa laborer. I also hope that my religion will be accepted there. I am leaving my other still living siblings at home and bringing my father and brother toamerica because both of them should be able to easily find jobs. I decided to take a few books forthe journey that I can sell in America, and all the money I have, I will sell or give everything elseto my family. I decided to not bring much because I think it would be better to buy in America.In America I expect there to be many tall buildings and many job opportunities. One thing I will miss is the potatos. No food in America will replace my good memories of eating potatoes in ireland. We used to farm them and now I can tell that once I get to America, I probably will never taste one again. I will miss my town more than anything else here, it is where I grew up and lived, it is where my grandparents and dead siblings are buried, I am sad that I will probably never see their graves again. I am bringing a picture of them to remember them. I imagine that in America there are many tall buildings and tons of opportunities, it must be massive compared to Ireland like the maps show. I heard though that the streets are filled with people though and filled with carts selling things.

The Journey: The trip is nearing its end, we have been traveling 12 weeks now and can just see land.Everyone is celebrating and is happy that we are about to arrive. I hope that we make it throughellis island quickly. America: We have just made it through ellis island. I thoughtthat our journey through ellis island was long, but when Iheard some other people's accounts of the journey throughellis island, I felt lucky. We settled in a small tenementand the rent is almost higher than my salary right now, butit seems to be better than anywhere else for the price.There seems to be no specific irish concentration, and weseem to be all around New York. I feel great now that I have finished the journey. Ittook a long time and the journey was tough, I miss myfamily a lot and hope that I can go back to get them once Ihave enough money. This country, although better then Ireland is still hard, the jobs have low pay and the streets are filled with people. My home is a small 3 room area, we all share the bedroom, but the we fortunately have space because, unlike most other irish immigrants, we did not bring much family. We sometimes share with the other families in ourbuilding because we all need help. Our incomes combined are enough to just get by and to feedeveryone, my father has been having trouble finding a job but has been using his time bycleaning and making food in our apartment. Life is a really different from life in Ireland, in Ireland we lived in a farm and now I livein an urban environment, I need labor jobs because I have no specific skills. In Ireland I was afarmer, but now I work unloading boats at thedocks. That job is not the best, but because Ihave no skills besides labor, I could not find abetter job. My entire family that I brought hereis working, besides my father and now we aregetting enough money to pay the rent and afforda more. Surprisingly I hardly miss Ireland, Imiss my family, but I had a much harder time inIreland, then I have here. In Ireland I had towork all day long for hardly any pay, but now ifI work all day I make much more then back

there. I am not treated the best, but I don’t really care right now because I am doing well in life,I am still trying to save to get my family over here, but first I need to get settled. The journey is completely worth it though, I am happy to be in america and start my newlife here. Things are already getting better here, I never could have got where I am now back inIreland.Irish potato candy recipeIngredients ❏ ¼ cup butter softened ❏ ½ (8 ounce) package of cream cheese ❏ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ❏ 4 cups of sugar ❏ 2 ½ cups flaked coconut ❏ 1 tablespoon ground cinnamonIn a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the vanilla andconfectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Using your hands if necessary, mix in the coconut. Rollinto balls or potato shapes, and roll in the cinnamon. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set. Ifdesired, roll potatoes in cinnamon again for darker color.Sourceshttp://allrecipes.com/recipe/16520/irish-potato-candy/http://www.everyculture.com/multi/http://www.immigrationtounitedstates.orghttp://www.emigration.link/http://spartacus-educational.com/USAimmigration.htmhttp://www.history.com/topics/u-s-immigration-before-1965http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/immigration/