Ellen B. Alden

Author of Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke

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Calling all Irish Americans! Are you a descendant of the potato famine? What’s your story?

May 16, 2016 by Ellen Alden 2 Comments

Irish American Population.jpg

Did your Irish relatives ride the massive wave of emigration to America between 1845-1852? Did they come from places like Country Cork, County Offaly, County Limerick or even County Kerry? If so, you’re considered a part of the “family.” And you’re not alone.

 Although the history of Irish immigration goes back well before the nineteenth century, the Great Potato Famine was the cause for the largest number of immigrants to sail across the Atlantic and leave their beloved isle.

Today Irish Americans are scattered across the country and they make up nearly 12% of the population. That means there are over 40 million Irish descendants here in the good old USA!

Looking back, it wasn’t easy for the first generation Irish immigrants. America did not welcome them with open arms. The Irish immigrants had little money and no assistance. They were farmers and they were dressed in clothes that were “decades” behind Americans living in the big cities. Not to mention that many had bright red hair. They certainly stood out– and not in a good way. The Irish immigrants were seen as poor, uneducated and very fertile.

To make their arrival worse, some Americans took advantage of the Irish the moment they stepped on shore. The crooked “greeters” promised to help the immigrants settle in by finding decent housing for their families. However, the accommodations turned out to be slums and filthy tenements in over crowded parts of cities.

Later in the 1800’s, as new immigrants poured into the cities, it became even more difficult for the Irish to find work. They had little skills and there was tough competition for employment. Many were out of luck and out of patience and turned to crime to bring in some cash. Others became bored and frustrated and turned to drinking and brawling. This didn’t help their reputations or their ability to find work. It was this behavior and the American’s stereotype of the Irish being simple-minded that led to the infamous signs of “No Irish Need Apply.”

Irish ImmigrationThe immigrants quickly learned that earning citizenship and the right to vote would be the best way to gain respect in America. In big cities such as New York and Boston, small, local political groups began organizing and rallying and soon these groups became larger and more powerful. Eventually they dominated influential political parties—just look at Boston’s Democratic party!

Through many trials and sacrifices, the Irish have risen in social class in America and now add color and spirit to our giant melting pot.

My book, Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke, is a story of an Irish family fleeing Ireland at the height of the famine and struggling to make it in America. It also portrays the sacrifices a father is willing to make to benefit his family—at any personal cost. The Burke family experienced the harsh city life, the animosity of townspeople and the indifference by the Union Army. This is the story of my Irish great, great grandfather and his family. What’s yours?

Souces: Great Irish Famine by David W. Madden
www.immigrationtotheunitesstates.org
Image credit www.vox.com , www.yale.edu

Filed Under: Blog

Comments

  1. Honora says

    July 4, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    I just finished your book. My 3rd great-grandparents were also famine immigrants (from County Galway) so this story resonated with me and I enjoyed reading it. My ancestors, William Potter and Honora Casey Potter, lived for over sixty years in Louisville, KY and had 11 children. I wish I was fortunate to have letters, but I have found their marriage bond, William’s Naturalization papers and other documents. Their first grandchild, my great-grandmother, was named Honora. She named her first child, my grandmother, Honora. I may not have letters from them but the greatest treasure that was passed down from them is my name: Honora.

    Reply
    • Ellen Alden says

      July 6, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      Helo Honora, thank you for your kind note. I love hearing about your family. I always say my story is one among millions of Immigrant stories from the time of the Great Hunger. I love that you, too are named after your brave ancestor. May I ask how what part of the country you live or how you found my book? Also, you are very eloquent and I was wondering if you would do me a HUGE favor and post a review on Amazon? My publisher is telling me I need a few more. Boy would I appreciate it!!! I will be out inn Milwaukee in August if you live anywhere there–I am presenting at an Irish Festival. Well, take care Honora. I am happy you found and read my book; and that it was meaningful to you.

      Reply

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