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My Dear Momma and Pappa,

I miss you so. I am finally off the ship and have made it to L’America. I went through the inspection at Ellis Island. That was quite an experience! It was very confusing and tiresome for me, especially after the long journey. I longed to be with you. I have a new American name now. It is Marcus Eli Ravage. The government keeps passing new laws here against immigrants. So, because a law was just passed which does not allow people with physical or mental defects, and some diseases, the inspection process was very rigorous. Let me tell you all about my experience.

It was a long and very crowded journey on the SS Plata. There were people and baggage everywhere. Many people were getting sick because it was a bit rough at the time. So, we were all very happy to get off the boat when we landed at Ellis Island. When we got off the boat, the men had to go one way and the women and children had to go another way. As we got off, some men put tags on our clothes the number from the steamship. When we entered the building, we had to go to the baggage room first to check our belongings. Since I didn’t have much with me, I decided to carry everything and not leave anything in case someone might steal it.

After that, I had to wait in a very long line for the medical inspection on the second floor. When I finally made it to the front of the line, I was inspected by a medical officer. It didn’t last long. I heard that they call it the “six second exam” because the medical inspectors look at six things: the scalp, face, hands, neck, gait, and general health condition. Then, they did a more thorough medical inspection. One thing they did to me was that they took a buttonhook and pulled my eyelid back to look for eye infection. I was lucky because they didn’t find any health problems with me. But, my friend, Mario, wasn’t as lucky. They found an eye problem with him and wrote a big E with chalk on his jacket and sent him to another area. He will probably have to stay at Ellis Island in a dormitory until he his better and may even be sent back home. I feel bad for him. Next I was sent to the legal inspection. The questions asked seemed to be the same as the ones that I was asked by the shipping company before I left. I guess they want to make sure that I answer the same way and was telling the truth. Luckily, they had interpreters there so I could speak in Italian. They asked me things about myself—my name, my age, if I was married, my job, if I could read and write, what my plans were in America, how much money I have, how I paid for my passage to America, if I know anyone here, and so forth. It was very tiresome!I am very happy to be through that process and am excited that I made it. I had to take a loyalty oath at the end. I’m starting to feel like a true American!

But, I miss you and the family terribly. I can’t wait to get a job so that I can start sending money to you.

Love, Marcus

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