Pretend that you are an immigrant coming
through Ellis Island to United States.
From your boat you see the Statue of Liberty
for the first time.
Explain how
you would feel about entering the United States and going through the rigorous screening
by Ellis Island officials.
Please write a narrative explaining your
experience.
(It can
be a fiction story but the facts of Ellis Island have to be accurate)
This assignment is due by June Wednesday, June 4, 2014
This assignment is due by June Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Journey To Ellis Island
ReplyDeleteScrape!Scrape! I was planting our food. I am 10 years old and my name is Will. My family works in a farm where there are not a lot of jobs near by.I have a little brother named Jerry.One day while eating breakfast, my parents said that we are moving to America.
I wanted to stay and play with my friends and I didn’t want to leave my relatives. The next few days it was just packing up and preparation. We ordered four tickets and drove to the boat. I heard rumors about people not being welcomed in America.
We were a little poor so we sat at the bottom of the boat with the other 3 class passengers. The boat was filthy and wasn’t kept well. The food wasn’t very good either but that is what we had to eat. The bunk beds were not very organized.
Then Jerry started to get seasick. We did whatever we could to take care of him. After two days Jerry got fine and we saw a glimpse of a huge statue.Then all the passengers hollered Hooray! Freedom! Then I saw a huge building and I learnt that it was called Ellis Island.
When I came out of the boat,we dragged our luggage into the huge building. We dropped our luggage in the luggage room and the we walked up a staircase. We were in the Great Hall,after hours of waiting the inspectors finally called our names. Me,mom and dad passed through but Jerry got marked with chalk.
We got really nervous when we saw the stairs of separation. Jerry took one way and mom,dad and me took the other way. I started crying when I saw Jerry walking into the hospital. We didn’t know if we would see him again. We waited for a long time and then Jerry flung out the door and shouted I can go! The doctor said as she flung out the door he could go with you.
We came out of Ellis Island and we saw how America looked like.It was so cool. I yelled We made it! My family was so happy and I knew this is a good place for a better life.
Your story was very good.
DeleteI liked how you used a problem in your story!
DeleteI liked your opening and closing.
DeleteYOUR STORY WAS NICE.
Deletegood story how many facts do you have
DeleteToday is May 19, 1895. Dad, mom, and I just left England to have a better life. We are going to ride to America! The boat ride costs so much pounds that we could barely afford the ride. We are on steerage ( third class) for the boat.
ReplyDeleteThe food was so bad on steerage class that when I tasted the food I thought I was going to puke. There was no windows in steerage to look outside and the boat kept tilting back and forth. Mom kept coughing for the whole trip. I wondered if she felt okay but I didn’t check with her. My dad told me tommorow we reach so we better get some good sleep.
When I woke up I found out that we were there.Ellis Island was waiting for us and I was ready. When we went inside doctors were looking at us from the second floor.
The first was easy. We had to read and write in English. The next test I was extremely nervous about. My whole body was sweating. They were checking if you were sick or not. Mom was coughing. What if we fail because of her? They examined us. I saw the doctor talking to mom. I asked them what happened. It turns out mom only had a cold! Now I don’t need to worry, I have a whole life ahead of me!
I liked your story.
DeleteI liked your proclems and emotions you put.
DeleteI liked how you made the character have emotion.
DeleteI liked the emotions
Delete“Wake up Igor,” my Mom said, “We arrived!” someone screamed. It was a long journey from Russia. My sister Angelina had gotten sick during the journey but she is now better. When I got on the deck, I saw this huge building were a lot of people were passing through. A worker told me it was called Ellis Island. He also told me other names like Bucking Island, Anderson’s Island, Gull Island and Dyre Island.
ReplyDeleteI saw first and second class passengers getting a quick inspection. When I stepped in line, a first class passenger shoved me away saying something I didn’t understand. My Mom took me away and told me we were going somewhere else. I was third class steerage and
I am pretty sure me not being able to go in line had something to do with that. For the first time in 6 months i was going to see my Dad who came earlier.
We got off the boat and went on a smaller boat. I saw a beautiful lady standing high up tall. In some time i noticed we were going to the big building I saw earlier. When we entered, we had to climb a flight of steps. i saw some people looking at how we took each step. We went through many examinations. One of them was very painful were they used a buttonhook to flip our eyelids and look into them.
After the examinations, Angelina was marked with a P on her coat. The doctor said something none of us understood and just showed us the way. The next doctor was nicer and told us that Angelina would in the hospital for a few days and she would be alright. After Angelina was taken by a nice nurse, Mom answered a lot of question and luckily she passed. While waiting for my sister, we had to stay at Ellis Island. I finally good to eat good food from the cafeteria. Some food was pretty new. Finally my sister was all better. There were three stair ways and we took the left one. After we went down the steps I saw my father and we hugged each other. What a journey.
What does the P stand for?
DeleteI liked how you used deatails in your story.
DeleteI liked how you made the reader understand exactly whats going on.
Deletegood sequence and story
Deletep= physical and lung
Deletegood story= 1
I like the names
DeleteElsa, you need to go to the United States! We are all suffering from hunger and we don't want you to be like this. We promise we will come later when we get more money. Pack your things! Go! Go! Go! Let me give you the money for the ferry.
ReplyDeleteIt was a long time on the ferry. I felt a little seasick but there was nothing I could do. I asked a Italian man if he knew anything about Ellis Island. He said that a fire destroyed the main building on Ellis Island. Then he said it was called Gibbet Island before. He said that you have to go through many challenges in Ellis Island. My heart was beating really fast!
The ship stopped, I jumped off. I saw another Italian man and I asked him if he knew anything. He did, he said that first and second class passengers didn’t have to go through Ellis Island for immigration processing. Also, for just 30 cents, an immigrant can buy bread,cheese,sausage,and lemonade at the concession stand.
Then it was my turn to be inspected. While I was on my way the man told me that the first test is the stairs. I walked up the stairs. The inspectors watched me.Then I went to an inspector. He asked me a few questions.
“Bam!” A man pushed me down to the ground! My face was really red! It was my turn for the inspection. I was so nervous about my face. The inspector pulled out a piece of chalk and wrote a big F on me. I was so worried. I tried to explain to them, but they wouldn’t listen!
I saw a woman carrying a box of make-up. I asked if I could borrow it. I took my final inspection. He said I was okay. I continued the inspection. One inspector took a button and pulled my eyelid up.It really hurt.
It was the end of the test. I waited for my scores. YOU PASSED!!!! I was so thrilled! I arrived at New York . I stayed in an apartment. Me, Elsa went through Ellis Island!
Your story was good.
DeleteI liked how you used punctuation in your story.
Deleteit was short but had many feelings in it . that's what I like
Deleteabout it.
great story!
Deletegood thinking with the makeup
I like the problem and soulution
DeleteMarine’s immigration in and to the U.S.A.
ReplyDelete“There’s the ship “ there’s the ship”
Marine repeated.“Woo hoo! Yippee!” I yelled. “Marine quiet down” Mama said. “I am just so excited” Mama. If you look around many people are staring at you. I am also excited to Marine but you're too loud honey. Marine and her family were moving to the u.s. . Tomorrow it was her birthday on November 9 1917 and she would turn 8. Marine was born on 1909 November 9. That was her second favorite part of the trip.
They had got the tickets by saving the money they had and only using very small amount of it.Marine and her family also stole money from their unkind neighbors.
Their rich and kind neighbors heard about them moving and gave them a small amount of money to help them.
Marine’s family thanked them a lot and said they will send some of the white bread if they make it to the U.S.A.
Marine told her mom she liked collecting money this way
for the tickets. She just smiled.
Their family had to stay on the bottom of the ship because their family did not have enough money to go on first class or second class. The beds were scratchy and many insects and the food was disgusting. The water tasted like the ocean. I felt sea sick every time I ate so I did not eat to much. I sometimes climbed up to the deck to say goodnight to the sky. I wished to be there soon.
“Wake up Marine. I could see America. Hey look thats the Statue of Lib-ert y. I meant Statue of Liberty I meant. Mom snapped. Its hard to pronounce. Get your bags Marine were parking next to the Shiny building called Ellis Island. Marine was peeking over a window to look. The window was a little to high for her.
Get of the boat to go to the Gibbet Island said a man.
I asked Mama what is Gibbet Island. she said Gibbet Island is Ellis Island basicly but a different name. It was first called that because pirates were once hung from Gibbets there mama said.We all scampered on to the deck and papa asked if everyone had everything they needed.The second and first class could go directly to New York but we had to pass tests. We were prepared becas in 1915 Grandma went to the U.S.A.. Grandma is going to be waiting outside to pick us up if we pass the Ellis Island test . We put our luggage in the luggage area and then climbed the stairs showing no evidence that were not healthy to the doctors above. Our family passed and then they looked around and saw other people marked with letters with chalk on their clothing.We knew they might have to go back or go to the hospital.
The next test was to see if we had eye disease. They scanned our eyes carefully for any sign of the disease. It hurt. We all passed that because we were careful on that ship that took us here.We then went to a room where we had to wait to be called up to answer the questions they will give us. We found seats across the crowded hall.We already knew the answers to the question because Grandma told us.After we answered the 29 questions they told us we passed. We all cheered happily. We found our luggage and hurried to meet Grandma. We saw her. We hugged her. It was such a great moment.
My family got a apartment, more money, more friends for us,and better education.I still love France but I also like it here Marine thought. She then doze of into her night dreams.
I liked how you ordered the events in Ellis Island.
DeleteI liked how you used deatails in your story.
Deletegreat long story
Deletei think you should use more clues that marine is from france
The ways they got money was descriptive
DeleteAdvait ArunachalamMay 21, 2014 at 11:19 AM
ReplyDeleteThank Poseidon! We made it! us Greeks made it”Dad shouted,I said “Calm down everybody is happy but calm down!” “Sweetheat your dad is just happy that he made it to Ellis Island and he will calm down once we go to the hotel!”Mom said with a soft voice. My sister interrupted “Yes we finally reached NY but the station had like 5,000 people in Greece,We were poor so we went to 3rd class!Why?” My dad said “3rd class is for the poor people and 2nd class is for the okay people and 1st class is for the rich people.”
After that,I asked “Why did we have to take a physical examination and go to the stairs of seperation?The hook in my eye hurts to?” My mom said “ The physical examination is to make sure we are healthy.We go to the stairs of seperation to get out of the building.
Finally,my sister asked, “why is their a reading test for the parents?” My dad said “ It’s because to make sure the parents are educated and you know how to read and see if you can see.” I said “Thanks mom and dad now i know a lot about Ellis Island !” “Ok,but now we have to go to the hotel!” Mom scolded.So off we we went to the hotel.
Your story was cool.
DeleteI liked how you used punctuations and dialoge.
Deletegreat story
DeleteAmaztastic story!
DeleteNeha May 21, 2014 at 6:58 PM
ReplyDeleteA Journey To America
Chloe was sitting in her living room when her mother yelled “We’re going to America!”Chloe kept on reading.
She stopped.She put her bookmark in her book and ran to the kitchen. “Where?!”She asked “To America”. Her mother replied.Chloe jumped up and down.
The Trip
As they got in the boat Chloe had a book about Ellis Island.
It had said that immigrants came to Ellis Island to come to America.The rooms were dark and cold filled with people.
There the food was potatoes.Emma got seasick but in two days she was okay.
Ellis Island
Now the family was on the deck when they saw a green lady with a torch and a book on the other hand.
“What’s that?” Emma (Chloe’s sister) asked “That’s the statue of liberty” A old man said. Chloe looked closely,there were the words “Fredom is here”
They dropped their lugguages in the lugguage room
and went to the doctor’s room to see if any of us had sickness. Emma had a S on her coat. She was taken away for hours until they said she was okay. Then they waited until thier named was called. After thier named was called they went on the steps and got their lugguge and went outside. Chloe yelled “We’re free!” People cheered with Chloe.
What does the S stand for?
DeleteI liked how you used action chains.
Deleteterrific story
DeleteI like the action chains, too!
DeleteEllis Island
ReplyDeleteMay 11, 1917
I am 5 years old and am on a ship to Ellis Island for freedom. My name is Daphne. I have come from France. It took 5 french francs just to get a ride. I am in 3rd class with Mamma and Eve. Eve is my older sister. We barely get enough food. It also stinks down here!
May 16,1917
Mama told me only 2 more days and we will reach Ellis Island. I was happy to get off this boat but what would happen on the island??
May 18, 1917
Today we arrived at Ellis Island. I was nervous. Mama said it would be alright. I knew Mama and Eve were nervous too. We had to pass through inspections. Mama went to the line and we followed.My knees were shaking. Mama got a PG since she was getting a baby soon. I would be a big sister! Anyway we went to a hearing. A translator told them what we were saying in French. We said that Mama was going to have a baby before we immigrated. We were cleared to go. After the hearing we were cleared to enter America. I was happy we weren't separated!! We had met Pa outside. We all did a family hug! Happiness could be made!!
I liked how you wrote your story.
DeleteI liked how you organized your story.
Deleteawesome story
Deletegood thinking (PG)
I like the descriptive words
DeleteLUNA’s Diary
ReplyDelete“ I am finally here” I sighed in relief. I came to Ellis Island by myself. “Oh no”I groaned softly to myself. There was a humungous line for examination. I strolled toward the end of the line slowly because I was a little seasick.I skimmed through the big line sighing.
3 hours later…………
It was finally my turn but I was nervous ,“Will I pass?” I thought.My head turned slowly and slightly to see a women marked with an X.” She must have a disease” I thought.Then came a million questions out of the doctor’s mouth.My head raced with thoughts as I answered.
Then the corner’s of the doctor’s mouth twitched, then smiled and said, “You Passed.” I felt like screaming for joy but my body was aching, So I just nodded and smiled. Feet by feet I walked to America.
As I entered America I thought about my friends. I would be seeing my parents very soon. My eyes scanned America,soon to be my home. I was so happy, I ran and pumped my fist in the air as a sign of
JOY!!!!
Your story was great!
DeleteI liked how you used juicy words.
DeleteYOUR STORY WAS GREAT.
Deletenice name i like the name luna
DeleteYour descriptions were amaze
DeleteZoé's diary
ReplyDeleteMay 15,1916
Dear diary,
We had just left shore. Joy was crying,but I tried comforting her. Shall we ever see mother and father again she asked me,but on that I was not so sure about. Mother and father had sent us to what some people call the land of opportunity because of the dreaded battle of Hulluch. Mother and Father couldn't take it any more so they decided to move to America. Father soon found out that there was only enough money for two of us so they decided to send Joy and me because they wanted for us to be safe. Mother and Father said once that when they had enough money they will join us. I hoped they are right. Mother said that we were going to ge picked up by Aunty Lisa and Uncle George. They had move here due to some finance problems. When the crew called us for dinner I had lost my appetite after one glance at the food they were serving. I thought Joy was thinking the same because she looked like she was going to hurl. Both me and Joy had slept hungry.
May 16,1916
Dear diary,
Today was much better than yesterday. In the morning when I woke up from my cramped and dirty room in steerage I couldn't find Joy. When I went on the deck I found her playing with a little girl about her age. I smiled at the sight of seeing Joy so happy. When she found out that we were going to America the hadn't smiled since. When I walked up to Joy she introduced me to her friend. Her name was Eva or Evaline. Turns out she has an older brother named Alex. Finally!I shall have some company. During breakfast we talked while Eva and Joy played. I was forced by hunger so I had to eat. The food left a bad taste in my mouth but I ate it due to the sensation of me starving.
May 19,1916
Dear diary,
I couldn't write in my diary for the last three days because of a tremendous storm. We fell through bad times on the boat with everyone falling seasick including Joy and Eva but after the storm calmed down so did they. Today everyone saw an amazing sight.
LADY LIBERTY!!
Holding up her torch and her book, she looked just wonderful. I knew we had reached freedom.
May 20,1916
Dear diary,
All passengers got of the steamboat.It felt so good to take a breath of fresh air. Everyone got their luggage and starting walking down the dock.Alex and me agreed to stick together until we left the island.All of us,Alex,me,Joy and Eva held hands and walked down the dock.We then saw a big line.Still holding each others hand we went in line.The line started slowly moving.FREEDOM!!But I spoke too soon.There at the line was a doctor with a hook called a buttonhook.When Joy and Eva saw what the were doing with the hook they started trembling. Even I gulped a little.Each doctor took the hook and started flipping the eyelid.Soon I was our turn.The doctor flipped our eyelids and then came a stinging sensation.After he flipped our eyelids he asked us A bunch of questions I couldn’t understand. Fortunately Alex Knew what he was saying so he answered them for all of us. While Alex answered the questions I saw a lady marked with a PG* with chalk on her back and taken away from her family. I was scared to think that would happen to us. Alex finished answering the questions the doctor let us pass. We collected our luggage and went outside.
Outside they were selling snacks for 30 cents.Some good food I thought and went to buy some bread and lemonade.We saw Aunt Lisa and Uncle George. I waved to them. Then I turned to Alex and Eva. I bid them my farewells and left.Then I came running back to him and gave him a hug. I also asked where he was staying. To my surprise he was staying in the same building. Now I could see him everyday. Now I shall also Have company.
*PG-Means Pregnancy
Your story was amazing.
DeleteYour story was descriptive.
Deletea diary?! COOL!
DeleteNice name
DeleteMoving to America
ReplyDelete“C’mon just one more year!” my brother Jueyero asked our Papa. We were moving to America because my Papa’s job doesn’t pay him enough peso ( That’s money in Dominican Republic). My name is Rosalva Carla Rojas Espinosa but everybody calls me Carla. “ No we can’t stay here or we’ll starve!” I replied back. “ Your older sister’s right Jueyero we can’t stay here.” my Papa said. “ Your grandpa is sending money from America. He is practically rich! He get’s 50 peso a day and we only get 10 peso a week!” “ But Papa-” Jueyero started but I cut him off. “ Mama said before she died to go to America when it’s time. The time is now Jueyero.” “Okay.” Jueyero replied sadly. “Let’s get packing.” Papa interrupted. We only packed a little because we didn’t have that much belongings. “ Be brave.” Papa said to me and Jueyero. “Let’s go.”
We bought the tickets and went to the boat. “ OH NO I CAN’T FIND MY TICKET! I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE YOU MOMMY!” a little girl shouted. My Papa was a kind man and I knew what he was going to do. “ NO PAPA!” I yelled but it was already done. I started crying. “Papa! Oh Papa!” Jueyero cried. Luckily, a first class man and his daughter had one extra 3rd class ticket. He gave it to my Papa. “ You’re a good man.” he said. “God bless you.” his daughter said. We handed in our tickets and headed for the boat.
After two weeks Jueyero got sick. BLAWRF! Jueyero kept throwing up I thought he was going to die. But we found a poor doctor on the boat. He said that Jueyero was just seasick. ( It was good that he spoke spanish! )
A week later on the boat I heard people scream FREEDOM! But I didn’t see what they were looking at because I am short. When we got inside we had to wait in a long line. There was A LOT of people about 26,731 ( I counted! ). When we got to the front they used these things to poke our eyes. “ What are they doing?!” Jueyero yelled. IT HURT! We hurried on. We had to sit down until they called our last names. FINALLY when they did someone who spoke our language asked Papa questions. After that Papa said that he passed the test ( Whatever that means). We went to a side staircase. A women came to help us get friends, jobs, a home, and money. “Welcome to America!” she said. I have a feeling this is going to be a good new start.
Your story was amazing!
DeleteI liked how you caps locked words.
Deletethanks sirivasta
DeleteThe best!!
DeleteEllis Island
ReplyDeleteI am 7 years old ,my name is Emily.I am on a steam ship to go to America.I used to live in Europe but now I am going to America.My Pa went to America to get a new job.Me,my Ma,and my little sister Jessie are going to America.But it is sad because I am on the 3rd class of the steam ship.The food here is so bad that Jessie almost threw up! I did not know what was going to happen in Ellis Island.We were going to get there in two hours.I was very excited!
Finally we reached Ellis Island.I saw a big statue.It was a lady holding a book and a torch,and I think the lady is welcoming us to America.When I went inside a tall building we needed somebody to translate instructions in french,So we finally found a translator who could speak in french.
Some people got marked with a white piece of chalk that meant they were ill. The person who got marked with chalk went to the stairs of separation meaning that person and his or her family would get separated for a couple of days.But god saved me and my family! Me,Jessie,and Ma passed the test,nobody was ill.As I got out of the building.Pa was right outside to pick us up. Our family was altogether.We gathered with a tight squeeze,embracing each other with pride.
Ria Singh
I liked how you described stuff.
Deletegreat story good facts
Deletehow many facts do you have
Soooooo many facts!!!!!
DeleteMy name is Tobias. My dad told me that I would be going to see mom we are going to the U.S.A. as I pass Nord and Geel I wonder, is anyone else going to the U.S.A from here. It cost a lot of money to go on the steamship. I get to the dock and I see the steamship arrive and it is huge I run onto the boat thninking it would be the best time. I was way off!!
ReplyDeleteIt has only been a day on the ship and it is stuffy and it smelly in there.I ran out to get fresh air whenever I can.I say in relief ahhh for fresh air. Just three more day's. Day two was the same as yesterday all stuffy and smelly
I woke up on the last and final day. I woke up early. I ran up to the deck and I saw a big statute a book and a torch.I let out a big scream.I am filled with joy. I am on Ellis island
I run off the boat And I trip and get a bruise on my eye. I was third to get to the health inspection side of the building. He said I passed the first part walking up the stairs. He looked at my eye and put me aside from the rest of the line. Then a woman took me to her office. She looked at my eye more carefully. I thought oh no can I go to the U.S.A. The nurse walked over to me and she said it was just a bruise. She said I can go. I was sent to the great hall they called my name I walked over they asked me some questions like how old I am or am I a boy or a girl. They recorded it in a large book. They said I can go they lead me to a hallway. That hallway lead to three stairs I Went on the right one. They called it the separation steps. I pushed the door and I acted a little childish I ran and said I was freeeeeeeee!!
Rahul Lohan
I liked how you described the boat ride.
Deletegreat story
Deletewhere were you from
Cool name
DeleteI am nine years old and we are on a boat to Ellis Island. My name is Camila and I am on a great journey with my sister Elena and my mom Victoria.Our stomachs are growling like bears.We are on our way to Ellis Island on an uncomfortable trip.The waves our making it harder and harder to sit and sleep.Once in a while the upper level people throw food down, but we aren’t lucky enough
ReplyDeleteto get it.
Sometime mother gives us food from her plate but it doesn’t help.Soon mother got seasick and had to go to the boats hospital.She wasn’t able to see us for 4 days.It is very noisey when the big waves hit the boat.All the people rush up to see what’s going on.
As I cross my eyes to the right I see a green statue of a lady.I heard some men saying that thats the Statue Liberty.when the boat stopped there was a loud shrieking noise.Mama grabbed the two bags we brought on the trip and tried to get closer to the front, but we had to wait hours to exit the boat.I heard a man say welcome to Gibbet Island.I asked mama why the man said it was gibbet island instead of Ellis island.She said it is just an old name they called Ellis island.
When we got off the boat we had to wait in a long line to check in.Elena and I was so excited to see father. He came to America before us so our family has all the money we need for at least 3 weeks.We had to wait three hours to get to the checkout desk. When we got there mother had to do a lot of paper.
Soon we had to walk a little more to these men who lifted up our eyelid with a button hook.First mother went and then the doctor said she is sick she looks sore in her eye,so the doctor said it was an eye disease.We tried to explain but the doctor but he didn’t understand french.Then he checked Elena’s and then mine I was squeezing mama’s hand.Elena explained to me that mama might have to go home.The next doctor was kind enough to understand french and checked mama’s eye and said it was just a scratch and let us go.
We finally knew we were free and when we walked out that door we saw father standing there so proud and happy we are finally in a free country and a free family.
-Diya Ajeya
Awesome story
DeleteBhoomika Nangia 4-5
ReplyDelete1920 - My Journey To America
Boom! My family and I dropped our heavy bags on to the Steam Ship. We were so tired! We were in the steerage part of the ship. I had learned that the first person to pass through Ellis Island was Annie Moore and she was only 15 years old . She landed on Ellis Island on January 1st ,1892. I wondered if it was easy for her to pass through the physical examination? People say that some people had to go back as they were diagnosed sick. I kept on worrying what if I had to go back to Switzerland because of sickness or failing the reading test ?. I had also learned that there was a reading test to check your eyesight. If you are sick or your eyesight is not normal you have to be separated from your family and move to the stairs of separation to get admitted to the hospital. You can only come back when you are healthy and fit. My family kept on encouraging me to not to worry but, I knew they were also nervous but just trying to be helpful! I didn’t even bother asking for food, even I was hungry, as there wasn’t any more left.
Life in Switzerland wasn’t easy because it was very hard to get good paying jobs. People were getting paid very less Swiss Franc. That’s the why, my family and I were moving to America.
In the morning , a girl came up and said “ Hey!” “Hi” I answered back. The girl was from the second class ship. “You sure look starving, you want this?” the girl asked pointing at a bag of chips. “Sure!” I replied with joy. “ What’s your name I asked?” She said “My name is Crystal.” “What’s your name?”, she asked. “My name is Susan”, I said. Crystal said “Do you want to play some game with me?” “Which game?” I asked. She said “Any game, you wish!”. I said “Let’s play a fact game about Ellis Island, we both have to tell facts about Ellis Island”. “Okay, do you want to go first?” she asked.“Sure.” I replied.
Me: Did you know that the Immigration Station was designed to process 5,000 people per day and during the peak time 11,000 people arrived everyday?
Crystal: No, really!
Crystal: Do you know that Ellis Island is originally 3.3 acres?
Me: No!, wow, so big!
Me: Have you heard that adults stayed back in 1907, and many children made the trip to Ellis Island alone?
We kept on playing until Crystal and I both saw the Statue of Liberty! Crystal and I knew that the Statue of Liberty is the symbol that you have reached Ellis Island. Crystal and I were both excited as well as nervous. Then, Crystal and I were separated and went to our own family.
My family and I bolted out of the ship and went up the stairs. Then, we went to the registry room to get checked by the doctor. I was really worried!. “Next please”, the doctor called. I walked to the doctor nervously and was biting my nails. The Doctor told me to open my eyes wide to examine my eyes with a hook to see if I had a disease called trachoma. Then, doctor evaluated my eye sight and asked to read a few letters. I passed all the health tests and was very happy that everything turned out okay.Next my mom and dad got examined and they were all well too. We were relieved! I saw Crystal also over there with “X” mark on her jacket to distinguish that she was seasick. I felt bad for her. I enquired about her with a nurse. The nurse told me that nothing much to worry, she will be alright after a brief treatment. I felt good after that and prayed that she should feel better soon. After 1 day of treatment, Crystal was cured and came back to normal.
My family and Crystal family were granted US visa and we both were excited and full of joy to start our new life in America!
Like your facts!
DeleteAmazing story!!
DeleteLuna’s Diary
ReplyDeleteFebruary 3 1893
Today, mother has sent me away to the land of opportunity. My aunt is already there, she will take me to her house until mother and father come. Father will soon come with mother to join me. I will hope I will pass the test and mother and father will to. I am in steerage and it smells horrible. Like stinky feet to be exact. I got on this horrible boat on February 2nd 1893, They give us enough food, but, it tastes horrible, Sometimes it is so bad, I don’t even eat it! Horray!!! They are dropping candy for us.
-Luna
February 4 1893
Today I made a new friend, Flora. She is from Italy and moving to America. I hope she will stay with me. Her parents died in an outbreak of influenza (that in a longer term for the flu). We promised each other that we would always stick together no matter what. When she mentioned that the doctors there use a button hook to check for the contagious eye disease, trachoma, a shiver ran down my spine. I have to go now and play with my dolls.
-Luna
February 6 1893
Yesterday I got seasick and had to stay in bed all day. Flora stayed with me and told me some funny stories about a dog and it’s crazy adventures. I still had to eat the horrible food and, I think that made my health even worse. Today an infant died and was thrown out to sea after a short prayer was said. The mother grieved over her daughter’s death. Now I have made a promise to myself that I will not eat the boats food unless it is necessary. Flora is coming and said she wanted me to stay in bed, but I took my diary before she came. Now I have to go back in bed.
-Luna
February 10 1893
The past few days i have been very busy. The captain was nice enough and let me go to his cabin. For that, I helped him in his work. Flora helped ,too. The captain predicts that we will reach tomorrow! I can’t wait. The captain is calling me so I have to go.
-Luna
February 11 1893
Today we reached! Me and Flora walked over to the baggage room after we got pinned with a number. The number is so that they can call us for the questions station. My number was 1202. Next we went to the stairs. I could see people watch us from the top. I knew the test had begun. Next was the registry room. We had to go through questioning and the medical exam. In the questions, they asked me my name and if I was boy or a girl. I passed. Next, the medical exam. I was really scared for the medical exam. Then a man behind me, stepped on my foot very hard. It hurt a lot! I couldn’t walk, so I limped to the eye doctor. Nothing was marked on me. I knew that was good. Then the physical test. They asked me to walk. I couldn’t. They put a P on my coat and separated me from Flora. Then the stairs of separation. I was put in the middle and Flora was in the right aisle. I walked down and into the hospital. A nice lady came and examined my foot. She said I would have to stay there for an hour. After an hour, she came and told me to walk. I walked perfectly fine. She said I could go. I ran out the door and to Flora. She said that it was time to go to the Kissing post where I would see my aunt. Flora and I went to the post and found my aunt. I was very down hearted to leave Flora. So,I asked my aunt if I could take Flora home with us until she finds a nice place to live. My aunt was so sad to see Flora walk all by herself to a barbed fence, that she said okay. I ran to Flora and told her she could stay with us. We jumped with joy. We walked out of the building and into a new land. We were free!
-Luna