New Beginnings

Immigration to the United States in the 1800s and early 1900s was all about new beginnings. Luckily, proof of such beginnings was documented and is available. Those living today can trace their families back to many generations and see the emotion of family members that took those brave steps to a better future. One such family consists of a mother and her five children. http://www.ellisisland.org/photoalbums/ellis_island_album110.asp  The children in the photo look excited to start their new lives in America. A few of the children look a little nervous. Although not grinning with delight, the mother looks a bit happy and not a tad apprehensive of her choice to come to New York. The family might be Russian, since the mother and oldest daughter are wearing babushkas, the traditional Russian headdress for women.  The mother will probably end up working in a textile factory making clothes. The children will also most likely work to support the family, in jobs like selling newspapers on street corners. The story of this family is like many others who have left all they have ever known behind to come to America.