Garcia Family. The South Texas Border, 1900-1920

Not only were the numbers of immigrants swelling, the countries from which they came had changed dramatically as well. Unlike earlier immigrants, the majority of the newcomers after 1900 came from non-English speaking European countries. The principal source of immigrants was now southern and eastern Europe, especially Italy, Poland, and Russia, countries quite different in culture and language from the United States. The so-called "new immigrants" had difficulty adjusting to life here.

At the same time, the United States had difficulty absorbing the immigrants. Most of the immigrants chose to settle in American cities, where jobs were located. As a result, the cities became ever more crowded. In addition, city services often failed to keep up with the flow of newcomers. Most of the immigrants did find jobs, although they often worked in jobs that most native-born Americans would not take. Over time, however, the immigrants succeeded in bettering their condition.

To find additional documents in American Memory, search the collections using such terms as immigration, immigrant, or people from specific countries (e.g., Polish, Irish, or Italian).
top of page

• The Saranoff Family Embraces America

• Henry Boucher, French Canadian Textile Worker

• Louis T., "I Sell Fish"

• Adam Laboda, Polish Textile Worker

• Steve Comeau, French Canadian Immigrant

• An Interview with Roland Damiani

• Photos and Films of Immigration