Migration in transition: lives and challenges of emigrants

Migration in transition: lives and challenges of emigrants

Migration is an undisputed part of German history, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, when millions of people had to leave their home regions. This is impressively addressed by the traveling exhibition “Happiness in the Distance”, which can currently be seen in the Coastal Museum Wilhelmshaven. Loud Wilhelmshaven The exhibition covers important aspects of migration, including economic hardship, bureaucratic hurdles, social expectations and the individual challenges that emigrants faced.

At the center of the exhibition are nine biographies that illuminate the diversity of migration stories. An outstanding story is that of Minna Günther, who followed her fiancé to Tsingtau at the beginning of the 20th century. These personal stories give visitors a deep insight into the emigrants' motivations and living conditions and show that migration was often associated with great challenges.

The crossing and its challenges

The journey overseas was extremely stressful for many Germans. Foreign perspective describes the hardships that many people had to endure. Overcrowded ships with cramped conditions were the rule; many travelers had to sleep in steerage, where conditions were spartan and privacy was lacking.

The food on board was often inadequate. Spoiled food and contaminated water meant that diseases such as typhoid and cholera were widespread. Frequent seasickness also caused additional problems for the passengers during the week-long journey across the Atlantic.

The arrival in the new world

Upon arrival in New York, the emigrants had to endure strict health checks on Ellis Island. Sick people were turned away or quarantined, increasing the uncertainty and fear of those arriving. After this stressful journey, the Germans often faced a challenging integration into their new homeland. Language barriers and a lack of qualifications made finding a job difficult, so many initially had to take simple, poorly paid jobs.

However, some emigrants found communities with fellow countrymen, often referred to as “Little Germanys.” Despite this support, many found it difficult to find their place in the new society. Disappointed returnees were often viewed as failures, and returning to their old homeland was often associated with shame.

The exhibition in the Coastal Museum not only shows these impressive biographies, but also a variety of original objects, personal letters and photographs that illustrate how complex the emigrants' stories were. Digital information columns also offer access to other databases and emigrant files, for example from the Lower Saxony State Archives.

The exhibition, curated by Etta Bengen in collaboration with the Oldenburgische Gesellschaft für Familienkunde e.V., is a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into the history of migration and hear the stories of the people who left their homes in search of a better life.

Further information about the exhibition is available on the website www.migration-oldenburg.de.