My Travels to America

A Journal by

Rosa Yokavich

January 3, 1892

Dear Journal,

My name is Rosa. I am traveling with my mother and brother to America! I am so excited and a little nervous to be leaving my grandmother behind but happy that we will get to see my father after so many long months. We were not able to go to America with father because it was so expensive to all travel at one time. I have packed my bag already with my most precious items. I have my doll, my one fancy dress and a new pair of shoes. I am carrying a shawl and wearing what mother calls “my traveling dress”. I will wear it the whole time we are at sea. At sea. What a funny idea that we will get on a boat in our country and when we get off, we will be in America!

January 5, 1892

Dear Journal,

I am sorry I have not written for a day! We are on the boat to America! I have been so busy helping mother and brother get settled. Mother is pregnant and very tired all the time. I hope she does not have the baby on the ship! That would be scary!

My brother wants to explore all parts of the ship. I am trying to help Mama by watching him but he tries to go places on the ship we are not allowed. He even got away from me and while I was looking for him, a steward on the boat brought him back to me! I was so embarrassed! I hope he does not tell Mama. We could get in serious trouble!

January 18, 1892

Dear Journal,

I have seen America! We are waiting in the harbor to leave the ship. We had to gather our bags and are now waiting in line to be allowed to leave. We were told we would enter a place called Ellis Island. It is cold and we are all tired from the boat trip.

Mama is quiet. I am not sure if she is tired or hurting from the baby. My brother is squirming and trying to get away from me. I keep a hold on his hand because there are so many people and I cannot lose him.

January 18, 1892

Dear Journal,

Mama was not allowed to come with us! She is almost ready to have the baby and the doctor said at the Ellis Island hospital so she is not allowed to leave until she does. We are waiting for Papa to come and get us. I have watched many families be reunited and go off into America together but not us. What will happen to us if Papa does not come?

January 22, 1892

Dear Journal,

Mama is having the baby today. The nurse came to tell us. I hope everything is fine with the baby. I hope Papa gets word and comes today...

Later the same day...……

Papa came for us! A friend of ours on the boat promised he would find Papa and get him word we were waiting for him. I had almost given up hope. But, as I sat on a bench, I saw Papa walk toward me. Brother ran to him and told him about the baby coming. Papa left us and went to see Mama. A while later, Papa returned to hug us and tell us Mama and the baby are fine. We cannot see her yet. We are going home with Papa. Home. I have waited for this moment for so long. Goodbye Ellis Island!

January 29, 1892

Dear Journal,

I have no words to describe the place we live. The home we left behind was so nice and friends came to visit often. I would not dare have a friend over to the place Papa brought me to!

Mama will be coming home soon and I need to get this place ready for her. Where do I start? The walls are paper thin and we do not have running water or electricity. Our home in the old country had these things. Why do we have to live in such a place? Why did we come to America? Why did we take the risk?

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