The trip of the Italian immigrant to America

[jwazevedo]

My grandfather left northern Italy in 1904 and traveled on the French Line out of Havre to New York and then onto California. I'm trying to find details about the process he might have gone through along the way. For example, where did he get his ticket for the passage, how might he have traveled to Havre, what options were available for getting from New York to San Francisco in 1904? That sort of thing. Does anyone know of research done along these lines?

Thanks,
Jerry

[ricbru]

Back on those old days, travel agent used to go in the bars or place where people use to meet each other, and talk about how great and comfortable the ship leaving from France were compared to those that used to leave from anywhere else. So for sure he bought one ticket from the travel agent, who was there to invite people to leave for a better life, since in italy many people were poor, and harvest were not full of fruit of the land, so many people were starving, and America was the chance of their life.
I'm sure there are many books talking about the trip to America of Italian people. I hope it helps
bye Riccardo

[jwazevedo]

Thanks, Riccardo. I hadn't known about the travel agent that went from village to village.

I've been searching for a book that deals specifically with the Italian immigrant experience but haven't yet found one that addresses my questions. I'll keep searching.

Best,
Jerry