I posted this question in another forum but I thought it would be a good subject for here.

"A small question. How did the immigrants travel from like New York to Chicago, etc.? Are there any sources for the transportation? Rail lines, Coaches, Horse?

It is not very easy to remember that the transport we take for granted today was not available until the early 20th century. Most of my family arrived much earlier than that and yet traveled to many areas of the country that you certainly couldn't walk to.

How did they know the modes of transport or the right one to take them where they needed to go? I don't think most of my family spoke English and yet they had to negotiate their transport to somewhere.

Just thinking!!!"

I read on a book the after landing at Ellis Island, and after all the process in order to get in USA, there was an office for changing money and an office who used to sell the train ticket pretty close to the door of the way out.
So I think there was a train at least between 1892 to 1924.
I hope it helps,
bye Riccardo

"Only one third of the immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island stayed in New York City. The majority scattered to all points across the country via railroads that crisscrossed the entire continent and offered easy access to all of America's major cities. After immigrants had arranged their travel plans they were given tags to pin to their hats or coats. The tags showed the railroad conductors what lines the immigrants were travelling and what connections to make to reach their destinations."-- powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca....ndsite.htm

Pic of railroad ticket counter at Ellis Island


Money Exchange and RR Ticket Counters

The page you posted about Ellis Island was wonderful. I do really appreciate it. Having not read too much about Ellis Island I didn't realize what the immigrants have do go through. I think about the various members of my family who had to go through this and I marvel at their strength to withstand all this. Makes you wonder if you could do it.

Hmmm......

lilbees

I know my grandmother came to Chicago from Eliis Island via a train in the early 1900's. The journey from Calabria (Cortale in Catanzaro Province) is a journey I would love to know more about. It was a long way from Cortale to Naples. I have read about how the immigrants got from their homes to Naples and it seems like a long perilous trip. Sometimes groups of people would walk all the way to Naples together. The groups consisted of neighbors, friends and relatives from the same town. This trip must have taken days or even weeks. There were "immigrant hotels" in Naples set up for those waiting for passports before they could board a ship. There was a very interesting website on this but it no longer exists.

Interesting. Part of my family migrated from Italy to Tunisia. Then, the children immigrated to the US. Long trip..... My grandfather and an aunt shipped from Marseille and the other aunt from Palermo. They all had to expense of ship travel across the Mediteranien (can't spell today). After seeing the ships they traveled on that was a rough trip for them. That is why I thought about the cross-country trip they had to make after landing. As I said earlier, I don't know if I could have done it. There was a family member who arrived later and she was in her late 80's. Must have been really tough.

I have been trying to collect different photos of their ships, and other modes of travel during that time period. Want to include these in my book for my children, etc. The story of Ellis Island that Biff attached was perfect. I certainly had not read much about Ellis and I would guess my children, grandchildren hadn't either.

Haven't found pictures of the possible trains as yet but I know I will.

Barb

Barb,

You might find these sites interesting.

History Channel re Ellis Island

The Golden Door--Immigration Images from the Keystone Mast Collection

Thinkquest site on Ellis Island

Lou Alfano's Immigrant Ships

Pages 122 and 123 from Mangione and Morreale's La Storia on immigrant trains


Best,
Biff

I second Biff's recommendation on La Storia.

Hey, thanks all. Very much appreciated.

Have a good day. It will take a while to read through all that you have suggested. Maybe some good pics too.

Barb

Great links Biff! Thanks.