Interest in how immigrants adapted to life in a new country

[Nickuebel]

Hi,
From what I have gleaned from various sources immigrants to the UK from Europe (particularly Germany, although I imagine it may have been the same for any nationality) came as groups from, say the same area, even the same villages. What must it have been like? Different cultures, language etc! I know from my late father that my grandfather had no English and very little money and probably only the clothes he stood up in!
I have discovered during my limited research a kind of 'hostel' that was present in Hull during the late nineteenth century/ early twentieth called I think Lazarus's Hotel. Situated in the 'old town' area of Hull quite near to the docklands. The building bares a blue plaque giving this name and the purpose it served.
Only those I would imagine with any funds or valuables would have been able to afford this accommodation. So to overcome these difficulties and become settled and prosperous took great resourcefulness and determination, let alone courage!  These thoughts drive me to learn all I can of my ancestors.
One kind of disturbing thing I came across in my earlier searches. During World War Two my father
being regarded by the authorities as an essential service ( food) wasn't conscripted but remained in Hull working in the shop. He did experience quite some animosity because of his father's former nationality. In fact during the First World War the shop was attacked by mobs and very nearly wrecked causing my grandparents move to the suburbs. Mum and Dad hated, as did any decent person the Nazis but that didn't stop their next door neighbour referring to my sister as 'another Nazi baby'!
It appears that nothing's changed!

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Nick,

an interesting question, and one that is still valid now.  In Britain the East End of London tended to be a catchment area for "new arrivals", who, as they went up in the world, then moved on, leaving room for the next wave of immigrants, refugees, etc  Newcomers tended to gravitate to areas where they could be among their countrymen.

The "hate the foreigners" attitude is and was always there (among some people). There are several topics here about pork butchers, where this theme has been discussed.
(In case I haven't already given you the link:
Topic: RootsChat Topics: German Pork Butchers
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,509347.0.html
and in particular:
Topic: German Pork Butchers in Britain
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,408853.0.html)

Many immigrants changed their names because they sounded too german.
In 1965 my mother was still getting nasty looks and comments because of her (austrian refugee fleeing from Hitler) german accent.

Bob
 

[iluleah]

..and it is still going on of course which is why the British Isles has such a rich, diverse and varied history.

For me this is where family stories fit very well into our research, my grandfather and his 2 brother ran a farm, he being a married man with one child and another on the way ( my mum) , his brothers single, so they went ( and returned thank goodness)  but he stayed as he too was part of the 'food industry' a large farm and having lost all his 'help' German POWs  came daily to work on the farm.

My Grandparents didn't speak any German and the POWs didn't speak English, but the stories my grandparents (and great aunt who's large house and grounds were taken over and became the POW camp and who 'escorted' them daily to the farm) told me shows the human/family side of War. I have a carved wooden angel that one POW made for my mum for her baptism, I was told the POWs were all invited and they decorated the church with wild flowers. I have a letter sent to my Grandmother written by one exPOW and delivered about 4 years after the war thanking them for their kindness, in sharing their family Christmas and for the small gifts she made for them.

...and my great aunt I know she was a strong minded lady but the thought of her escorting 15 POWs several miles on her own twice a day makes me smile.

9 years ago a German friend decided to migrate to Scotland on her own ( well along with her dog) she loves the tiny village she lives in and often emails me to tell me what the locals must think of this strange German lady who lives near the beach, I too up'd and left England on my own to live in a country I know no one......so it is still happening and as you say it forms the story of your life which is the resent part of your family history.
I do wonder in future someone researching me what they will make of my movements around the World or even if they could track them, good job I have written it all down

[TropiConsul]

Sometimes there is more than prejudice involved in the ill treatment of people of foreign extraction.  I recently discovered an FBI report from 1919 of an investigation into the supposed disloyalty of my grand uncle who was employed by Bandera County in Texas as a farm agent.  George Altgelt was born in San Antonio in 1889 and was the son of an immigrant from the Rhineland who founded the town of Comfort, Texas and was a prominent attorney and real estate developer.  George was evidently reported as disloyal by a judge who was conspiring with the buyer and railroad to illegally fix prices offered to mohair producers.  It seems that George was entirely too effective at organizing the farmers to obtain higher prices!  The FBI concluded that George was a loyal American and proceeded to prosecute the judge.  Turnabout is fair play!