Joseph WisotskyJoseph Wisotsky

10 year old Joseph and his sister 10 year old Joseph and his sister travel to America from Russia. travel to America from Russia.

View the slide show to learn more View the slide show to learn more about Joseph.about Joseph.

Immigrants to AmericaImmigrants to America

• Immigrants came to Immigrants came to America from many America from many European and Asian European and Asian countries to live a better countries to live a better life.life.

• 1907 was the year most 1907 was the year most immigrants came to immigrants came to America, and 90% of them America, and 90% of them passed through Ellis Island, passed through Ellis Island, speaking at least 30 speaking at least 30 different languages.different languages.

• People came to America People came to America because they thought the because they thought the streets were “paved with streets were “paved with gold.”gold.”

Copyright 1880 Harper’s Weekly

Profile - RussiaProfile - Russia

• In the 1800’s and the In the 1800’s and the 1900’s Russian Jews were 1900’s Russian Jews were being persecuted and being persecuted and killed by the government.killed by the government.

• Russian Jews traveled to Russian Jews traveled to America for jobs, safety, America for jobs, safety, and the right to practice and the right to practice their religion freely.their religion freely.

• Russian immigrants Russian immigrants understood that workers understood that workers wages were higher in wages were higher in America. Many Russian America. Many Russian immigrants were talented immigrants were talented craftsmen. craftsmen.

• The first immigrants traveled The first immigrants traveled on sailing ships, which took on sailing ships, which took 40 days to 6 months to 40 days to 6 months to travel to America.travel to America.

• By the late 1800’s, By the late 1800’s, immigrants went by immigrants went by steamships which took 6 to steamships which took 6 to 32 days to travel to America.32 days to travel to America.

• First class or second class First class or second class ticket holders on these ships ticket holders on these ships ate well, and were free to ate well, and were free to enter the country after an enter the country after an inspection on the ship.inspection on the ship.

Ellis IslandEllis Island

• Immigrant families may not Immigrant families may not have traveled together. have traveled together. Sometimes the father or Sometimes the father or older children went to older children went to America, found jobs, and America, found jobs, and sent money to the sent money to the homeland for others to homeland for others to immigrate.immigrate.

• People brought what they People brought what they could carry in bundles, could carry in bundles, boxes, and leather sacks. boxes, and leather sacks. Sometimes they would wear Sometimes they would wear many layers of clothing.many layers of clothing.

• At Ellis Island all steerage At Ellis Island all steerage immigrants went to the immigrants went to the Great Hall to be examined. Great Hall to be examined.

Copyright 1908 Detroit Publishing Co.

A New World - AmericaA New World - America

• Immigrants did not want to Immigrants did not want to become a “public charge.” become a “public charge.” This meant they needed to This meant they needed to find work quickly because find work quickly because the city did not want to the city did not want to cover their expenses.cover their expenses.

• Jewish immigrants came to Jewish immigrants came to America with skills, but America with skills, but they were not accepted. they were not accepted. “Old immigrants” (those “Old immigrants” (those that came to America that came to America before 1881) were hostile before 1881) were hostile toward the religious beliefs toward the religious beliefs of the Jewish immigrants.of the Jewish immigrants. Library of Congress photo