Emigration from Poland

“In the early 1900s, steamship tickets for America cost between $30 to $35 for steerage or third class.” That would be about $792.67 to about $920.87 in current dollars! “Paying for their ticket was . . . a challenge. People had to save money for years to buy their tickets, or they borrowed the money from relatives. Personal items may also have been sold to pay the passage. “In a few cases, the father or a son went first to earn the passage for the rest of the household.” “Polish immigrants were prolific letter writers to their relatives in Poland.” Their letters were about their new life, encouragement to family members to join them, directions and recommendations on how to get to the port, what to avoid, how to survive, etc. Money for the voyage was often sent. “Immigrant ships were used to haul goods such as cotton, tobacco, and other raw products from America to Europe.” The companies began advertising to immigrants to fill their cargo holds for the return trip which was the least expensive way to travel to the United States. “If you were leaving home forever, what would you pack? Travel documents, clothes, tools (if the family’s livelihood came from a skilled trade), possibly a family Bible, family heirlooms, and necessary provisions for the trip. These items were typically packed in one trunk or perhaps a few suitcases. “The initial phase of the journey for the emigrant was the trip to the port.” The emigrants either took the train there or traveled by foot. They likely had to pass a border station where officials from the country they were entering, policemen and an agent of the steamship company would review papers and determine if they were healthy enough to enter. After this they re-boarded the train for the ride the rest of the way to the port. Some Poles chose to avoid the border stations but sneaking across the border could be dangerous and difficult. Once they arrived in the port, they either stayed in shipping company accommodations or found somewhere to stay until the ship was ready to leave. “Hopefully, the wait was short because the cost of the room and food would tax the meager funds that they needed to make a start in America.” “In the early 1900s, competition among the steamship companies for travelers leaving northern Europe brought about improvements.” Steerage cabins for 2 to 8 people included a bunk, a set, a washstand and more privacy. “Third class still included large compartments. These were occupied by single male passengers. . .” “The menu for third-class dining on a voyage that took place in 1912 included: Oatmeal porridge, fried tripe, bread, butter, marmalade, milk, tea and coffee for breakfast; Soup, roast beef with brown gravy, green beans, boiled potatoes, biscuits, bread, prunes and rice for lunch; Rabbit, baked potatoes, bread and butter, jam, coffe and tea for dinner.” ---------------------- ARRIVAL “After the immigrants had left the ship, they were suddenly confronted with crowds of people they could not understand. Attendants yelled commands in a strange language and pointed their fingers sharply to where they should go.” “They waited in long lines for their turn for processing and admittance.” “They knew that the inspectors might reject some of them, and they feared that family members could be separated if some were accepted and others rejected.” “The medical and legal examinations for the steerage passengers were efficient and quick but sometimes were done callously.” “Over the years about two percent of the arriving immigrants were turned back and returned to Europe.” “As our Polish immigrants stepped through the gate into America, they claimed their luggage and then exchanged their foreign money for U.S. dollars.” “The immigrant trains were crowded and uncomfortable, but the cost of the ticket was low, so the immigrants endured again to save what little money they had.” ---------------------- Border Crossing from Canada to the United States “When the train stopped at the border, U.S. inspectors boarded the train and collected the Certificates of Admission.