European Emigration to the U.S. 1881 - 1890



A new surge of Irish emigration resulted from more crop failures and increasing political and religious strife. Emigration from England (and to a lesser extent Scotland and Wales) continued, mainly by skilled laborers seeking work in America's industries and farmers seeking land.

Background
The great wave of European immigration that began around 1880 overlapped with the rise of major steamship lines that competed for immigrant fares. By 1900, the average price of a steerage ticket was about $30. Many immigrants traveled on prepaid tickets sent by relatives already in America; others bought tickets from the small army of traveling salesmen employed by the steamship lines. Before boarding their ship, emigrants went through a processing that included being bathed and "de-loused."

British Public Health officials spray disinfectant aboard a ship about to sail for the United States.


Source: Destination America by Charles A. Wills