I went to Bremerhaven, Germany this week and toured the museum there that focuses entirely on the migration of Germans to America and many other parts of the world during the later part of the nineteenth century and early part of the 20th. The museum is set up like a ship that was typical in 1885 with the passengers being third class passengers as most of them were. My ancestors were certainly third class. Third class was filled with these bunks that were about 6' x 10'. Every person was allowed 12 square feet, so if you had a family of five, all five of you would be in that bunk. If you had fewer in your family a stranger would be with you. Third class as three or four decks below, it was hot, very stuffy and when the seas were rough, they were locked in third until the storm passed. I can't imagine how dreadful that would be with the heat, the vomit and any other body fluid that might be floating around. They also ate in these bunks. The food frequently had bugs.
Ships used before 1885 took about six weeks to cross. After that newer ships emerged and with better power were able to cross in about a week or so. Still, these people endured a lot to come to the U.S. I can't imagine what it must have been like to say goodbye to family you may never see again in your life. And, in the case of people coming to Nebraska, leaving Germany, which is heavily treed and ending up on the treeless prairie.
If you are ever in this part of Germany this museum is well worth the effort to see it. By the way, for you farmers out there, Germany has to be Canola capital of the world. This stuff is every where.
Ships used before 1885 took about six weeks to cross. After that newer ships emerged and with better power were able to cross in about a week or so. Still, these people endured a lot to come to the U.S. I can't imagine what it must have been like to say goodbye to family you may never see again in your life. And, in the case of people coming to Nebraska, leaving Germany, which is heavily treed and ending up on the treeless prairie.
If you are ever in this part of Germany this museum is well worth the effort to see it. By the way, for you farmers out there, Germany has to be Canola capital of the world. This stuff is every where.
