June 17, 1885
On this day in history, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor. The statue was a gift of friendship from France, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American Independence. Not only was it a few years late, due to budget constraints, but it arrived in 350 pieces packed in more than 200 crates. Imagine the process of assembling it! The designer, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, used his mother’s image as the inspiration for the robed icon. He was assisted by Gustave Eiffel, who later built the famous landmark tower in Paris. The statue cost the French more than $250,000, a generous gift indeed for that time period.
Millions of immigrants were greeted by Lady Liberty from 1892 on. Do you have an immigrant ancestor, whose first beacon of safe arrival in their new homeland was this beautiful symbol of freedom? What adventures and opportunities awaited them? Where did your ancestors come from?
Learn More About your Ancestors
Earlier waves of immigrants came from Ireland and Germany. They were joined by the Italians, eastern Europeans, Scandinavians, and more. Some stayed in New York, but most of them loaded on trains and headed west. They tended to congregate with others of their same ethnic background and language. Large groups of Scandinavians settled on Midwest farmland. Italians favored city life. They carved out their trademark neighborhoods in every major city east of the Mississippi River. Germans and eastern Europeans flocked to Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Louis. Their contributions to building our great nation are enormous. And, they all have a story!
Let Heritage Consulting Genealogy Research Services help you unravel the mystery of your family history. We’ve been doing it for nearly 40 years now! It’s our passion. There are stories that put life into the names and dates.
Give us a call at 877-537-2000 for a free 20 minute phone consultation.