Every creature seeks to find greener pastures, but humans are no doubt the greatest of immigrants and migrants. We are ever pursuing new lives in new places. Throughout many generations the dispossessed continue to emerging and the brave keep moving from the poor conditions to the better. From 1892 through 1924 more than twenty-two million immigrants, passengers, and crew members came through Ellis Island and the port of New York. Immigrants poured in by steam-powered liners from all around the world, including the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Southern and Eastern Europe, and Canada. During this era families often immigrated together although sometimes the men came first to find work. Countless Americans have derived from waves of immigrants.
             Of the many migrants during the early twentieth century included my great, great grandmother and my great, great grandfather Boersig. The Black Forest Area in Shankenzell Germany was there native homeland. In 1901 the couple migrated to the United States on a newly built, large, luxurious liner called The North German Lloyd. They departed from Bremen, Germany and arrived in Manhattan, New York. The Boersigs' were considered part of the second class, therefore when they arrived at their destination they were processed aboard the ship and moved quickly through customs. Unlike the lower-class and penniless arrivals, it was unnecessary for them to pass though Ellis Island and later become indentured servants or redemptions.
             Conditions in Germany during the time period that they left were not that bad nor were their living situations my relatives' reason for migrating to the United States. Relatives and friends who had already emigrated wrote to them encouraging them to follow in their footsteps. A major factor in their choice to leave was that it was believed that America was "the land of opportunity". More
             freedom of movement and an improved standard of living would be available...