Ellis Island and the Wave:U.S immigration 1880-1914

[rudedog062]

This a great video! I would like to know just how all thease people survived here in America? Did they have jobs waiting for them, or where they just brought over as cheap labor?

[sainter1]

@rudedog062 Hi, sorry to take so long getting back to you. Many of the immigrants had jobs promised through agencies on arrival. Not all came through though. Cheap labour/ sweat shops was the main source of employment in the early days however self employment opportunitiesgrew with the increase in the population. It was tough to begin with but fruitful in the end. I don't know how many failed and returned to Europe but my guess is not many.

I'm glad you liked the vid. Cheers - Wayne :)

[IXGertXI]

Enjoythevoyage just shared this with me. Very educational! ;)

[sainter1]

Very educational coming from a teacher is THE compliment. Thx, Dot. ;)

[enjoythevoyage]

Foir some reason, I cannot highlight this video. I am in the youtube twilight zone! I'll keep trying!

[enjoythevoyage]

This video is mind blowing for me. My grandfather's name is on the wall at Ellis Island and my father came here at 4 years of age. That is a whole other story unto itself. I am deeply patriotic because of the basic tenets of this country. It has serious problems, but still, basically, the people are good and caring. I'll highlight this on my channel and share with my friends! PM me--are you on facebook?

A lot has happened in my life .

5 emotional stars!

[sainter1]

I'm so glad this means so much to you, Marion. Yes, the U.S has it's problems like all countries do but it is still a bastion of democracy and freedom, and the ppl are much to be admired. Have you seen your grandfather's name on the wall at Ellis Island?

BTW, I just joined facebook. I'll look you up. :)

[enjoythevoyage]

I have been there three times and love to go! I'll PM you my name so you can check out my page on facebook!

FYI--My father was a first cousin to Edward G Robinson and lived with his family in NYC until my grandfather got settled!

[sainter1]

One of my fav actors is Edward G! Look forward to your PM, Maid Marion. :)

[Fringe111]

Was he the actor????

[enjoythevoyage]

Yes, indeed, he was the famous actor and one of my favorites as well! My father lived (until 4 years of age) near his cousin in Romania and, as I said, in NYC, he lived with his Uncle and family until my grandfather got settled. My father looked like him except he (my dad) was skinny.

[Fringe111]

What a great story. Yanno my dad knew Edward when he was first starting out on Broadway. I loved his movies.

[enjoythevoyage]

Wow! It's a small world!

[hojofan]

Hi there Wayne! In today's modern world it's so hard for many of us born here in the USA to fully grasp how much people have been through and are still going through just to live in this country. It's so easy to forget just how privileged we are to have certain freedoms and rights that people in other countries don't have. However, we still have a long way to go. When I see the people in this video, I see a lot of courageous individuals! I can't begin to imagine what they had to endure. --Kim

[sainter1]

Hi Kim,

Your nation and mine too. We both come from new world countries that were built on immigration. We owe them a great deal just as though I owe the country. It's a long process, the road to a fair and harmonious society but i'm always optimistic. :)

[LizBizToo]

Tiz so well done. Seeing those faces is an emotional journey back in time. Chills here upon watching. It's a good thing to remember. Such the times they endured. This must have been quite a journey for you to put together, too.

Bravo, and thank you for this gift :)

[sainter1]

Thx, Liz. It was quite an interesting journey for me to take. Immigration is no stranger to Oz (we are both new worlds) but the sheer scale of the U.S undertaking was incredible. The U.S has been very generous many times before to her European cousins, especially during and after WWII, and the immigration open door policy vis a vis this video. Sometimes I wonder about the mentality of Europe toward the U.S. They owe you.

Glad you liked it. :)

[RiverBirch1967]

It is a great and vast land that many have fought over for control. It is the nature of man to do this.

[sainter1]

Yes, too true. It's also the nature of man to covet. If we can get past the need to fight and only covet, just that will prove to be a big step. Our nature can change but it will take a long time...a looong time.

[RiverBirch1967]

This is very powerful, creating many stirrings of emotion. What was the first footage, of the empty rooms?

[sainter1]

I appreciate youralways thoughtful comment, River Birchy girl. The empty rooms footage is of the Ellis Island immigration processing centre before it became a museum. It was abandoned and allowed to run down. That it was allowed to run down at all illustrates how time is needed before we understand the value of things. Adding that footage seemed to me a poignant way of expressing this in a melancholy way, along with a sense of time and change. :)

[payit4ward]

Another mini masterpiece Wayne.

I was looking through some vintage photos of my home city of Glasgow around the same period........ I must admit it makes me glad to be alive in the good ole 21st century - despite it's many problems!

Maybe people in the 22nd century will look back on us in a similar way .... food for thought eh? lol

5 ******s buddy.

Billy........

[sainter1]

It's a funny thing, Billy, so often we think our own times are a horror movie, but when you compare our lot to even a few generations ago it becomes apparent that gradually, step by step we are progressing. We can't see it because we are too close. Time and retrospect is needed to give it perspective. You are right, our 22nd century descendents will look back at us and shake their heads...but you can bet they'll think their own times are falling apart,and in the 23rd century...:and so on. :)

[DrRestezi]

Great video. The American immigration story from that era is so iconic and moving; it's unlikely to ever be forgotten but it's good to be reminded of the incredible hardships people faced in that lifelong struggle.

[sainter1]

Thanks, Doc. It is a most moving story. Me not being from the U.S, I needed to do some research before I made this video, and became more and more involved in the power and passion of the whole immigration saga. It's an honour doing my little bit to bring it back to consciousness.

Again thankyou, and thx for watching.

Wayne

[LadyofRandomness]

wow!...that was really amazing, wayne!...what a presentation this is...i learned things i did not know plus enjoyed the images and music used here...masterpiece-5stars!

[sainter1]

Thx, Marissa, I learned alot along the way too, and it was well worth it.

Hope all is well? :)

[Tahllulah2]

What a marvelous compilation, Wayne!  All those wonderful faces... amazing, the hardships they faced..

[sainter1]

Hardships indeed, Cindy. But look what it did for your country..and it's character? :)

[IXGertXI]

Lovely, Wiz.  I can't wait to show them.

xx

[sainter1]

Good news! It's not exactly a historical tour de force but there's a sentiment built in that I think is important.

Thx, Dot. :)

[sainter1]

You're welcome, Anita. Glad you liked it. :)

[internationalroaming]

The photographs, film, music, that was excellent Wayne. Thank you.

[surfcottage]

Wayne, this is wonderful!!!...(. its much better than the first one you sent) :):) xoxoxo

[sainter1]

LOL yeah the first one was invisible. Thx, Nancy. :)