I was born on 7th January 1923 in a small village near Bremen called Geestermünde. Since I was the eldest of four children I had to support my family by working as a nursemaid. But I always dreamed of leaving my native country Germany which was affected by unemployment and inflation. My father helped me: He gave me some money so that I could finally leave by ship in 1923. At that time I still hoped that life would be easier and better in America. 

The voyage was exhausting. I had to share a little room with 14 other people for ten days and since it was very cold, we had to stay in the ship for the most time. Eventually, we arrived in New York. There all immigrants first had to visit the "Registry Room" on Ellis Island, then were asked 29 questions and were examined by a doctor. A lot of people were crying because they weren't allowed to enter America on account of their lack of money or their diseases. 

My first experiences in America were good ones: I found work and got to know my husband Willy Seegers whom I married in December 1925. During our marriage we went through good and bad times. Sometimes it was hard to find a job or to earn enough money to survive, especially when the world economic crises took place in 1929. But this time past, we found work again, got to know many nice people and had a lot of fun with them. When my husband died in 1965 I was very sad and grieved a long time. Later I found a job and kept the house for a couple. After retiring I moved in with a friend in Florida. There I got a slight stroke last year. Since then I feel very homesick and I think about moving to Germany again in order to see my family before I die.                                                         

by Evelina