Arriving at Ellis Island
Ellis Island, a small island south of Manhattan, where the first land the North European immigrants got under their feet after more than a months sea journey over the Atlantic Ocean. In those days a sea journey was to be undertaken on board the tall sail ships. No other means of transportation existed to cross the vast ocean.
These journeys were often hazardous. If people survived the long sea journey, an even longer land journey across the American continent laid ahead.
In the early days, there were no land transportation, no railroad. Maybe a stage coach was available, but not driving across country to the far west, which was the goal of most of the Mormons. The immigrants only option those days were to continue on foot, with small handcarts to carry their scarce belongings and occasionally sick, very tired or old people. Many dangers were facing them: Fatigue, heat, cold, wind, rain, famine, thirst, deceases, Indian attacks etc. and many never reached their goal - "the promised land" - Utah.
In the early days, there were no land transportation, no railroad. Maybe a stage coach was available, but not driving across country to the far west, which was the goal of most of the Mormons. The immigrants only option those days were to continue on foot, with small handcarts to carry their scarce belongings and occasionally sick, very tired or old people. Many dangers were facing them: Fatigue, heat, cold, wind, rain, famine, thirst, deceases, Indian attacks etc. and many never reached their goal - "the promised land" - Utah.
Because of the long and difficult journey where many never made it, the Mormons immigrant journeys were soon systematized in Europe and people were gathered in different cities and countries and traveled together to the English Habour, Southampton. From here the journey on the Atlantic Ocean began and the immigrants reached Ellis Island after a months arduous sea voyage.
