Cranberries

Autumn means that it's cranberry harvesttime on Cape Cod!  Let's read what cousin Pearl remembered about this special time of year.

Family member name: Pearl Keith Gibbs Thomas
Tree branch: Smith
Lifetime: 1890-1981
Relation: My 1st cousin, 3x removed (my dad's mom's dad's 1st cousin)

Pearl lived in Wareham, Mass. Today, Wareham is the home of the largest cranberry grower in the world, AD Makepeace, which was around in Pearl’s day. Cranberries are one of just a handful of fruits native to North America.  

The bright red berry is grown in a sunken, dry field called a bog.  They grow on vines.  Pearl picked using the dry method, by hand, also done with a tool resembling a comb.  When ready to harvest using the wet harvesting method, the bog is flooded with water.  The lightweight berries float to the top and can be skimmed into a truck via a huge vacuum hose.

Several years ago we were visiting Cape Cod during September and came across this beautiful bog flooded for harvesting. 

Cranberry bog harvest on Cape Cod 2003.

Autumn arrival

One hundred and twelve years ago today my great-great-grandmother arrived to the United States.

Family member name: Catherine O'Neill Boyle
Tree branch: Boyle
Lifetime: 1849 - 1941
Relation: My 2x great grandmother (my mom's dad's dad's mom)

What was October 19, 1906 like for Catherine Boyle?

First, a brief history of Catherine. Queen Victoria had already been reigning for 12 years when Catherine was born in 1849 in England.  She married an Irishman named John Boyle in June 1871 and they started their family which would grow to include 12 children.  They lived in Blackhill, Durham, England.  

She was 57 years old in 1906 when she and her daughter Kate made the short trip to Liverpool and boarded the steamship called Baltic.  They were in steerage class.  Ten days later, they disembarked onto Ellis Island.

October 19 was a Friday in 1906 just as it is in 2018, and it was a warm day in New York City as the temperature rose to 73 degrees.  

Here are the steps she encountered during the immigration process.

1. Ferry - She took a ferry from her ship's pier to Ellis Island
2. Label - She was labeled with her name and ship name
3. Baggage drop off - How many belongings did Catherine bring with her? How much would you bring if starting a new life in a new country?
4. Separation - Normally men were separated from the women and children, but since Catherine only traveled with her grown daughter, they most likely were not separated
5. Stairway - Catherine was unknowingly watched by inspectors as she climbed the stairs to the Great Hall. Those with medical difficulties were flagged for further examination.
6. Chalk - A small amount of immigrants were given a chalk mark letter code on their coat lapel to indicate a medical problem.  Catherine's paperwork said her health was "good".  Probably no chalk for her!
7. The Great Hall - Verbal inspections took place here.  Catherine and Kate were no doubt surrounded by hundreds, if not, thousands of other immigrants.  How did they feel? Since Ellis Island was nicknamed the "Island of Tears", most likely it was not a comfortable experience. Here is a picture of the Great Hall in use.

Photo source: New York Public Library Digital Collection

8. Legal Inspection - 32 questions to determine entry.  Most of the replies are found on her arrival paperwork.
9. Baggage reclaim - Finally! They could pick up their luggage.
10. Money exchange - You had to have at least $20 to enter America in 1909.  Since Catherine arrived in 1906, this was not yet a requirement.  She must at least have had enough for transportation to Indiana.
11. Kissing Post - The exit to Ellis Island was named the Kissing Post, where many immigrants were reunited with their loved ones who were already in the US.  Did any of Catherine's family members come to greet her?  Maybe her husband John?
12.  Ferry to New Jersey or New York - The next phase of her journey begins!

She settled in Indianapolis, Indiana and lived there for 35 years.  She passed away at the age of 91 leaving scores of descendants, of which I am one.  

I feel that my October 19 was well-spent by imagining her life-changing experience 112 years ago today.