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Immigrating to America
After hearing the possibilities there were in the United States, the Burkitts followed their family who had previously came with many other families during the first Great Migration which mainly occurred in the mid-18th century. At the time, the United States was in their reconstruction phase and experienced large economic and social growth, making the United States a place where many were eager to go to.
Men like John came to the United States in search of better work as they were highly skilled laborers and believed they could be more useful with their craft. Women like Jane, were mostly unskilled and helped around in the house, and immigrated due to marriages and relationships with families or other skilled workers as they did not want to be separated.
Florence, Marietta, and Sarah Jane Burkitt, Jane and John's three daughters
John and Jane Burkitt with family
Recently married, Jane and John Burkitt emigrated from England to the United States both at age 27 after only being together for two years. They departed from the Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland destined for the possibility of better opportunities that they could find in the United States of America.
They arrived at Ellis Island in New York on January 19th, 1872 in search of a better life with some upward mobility, as well as a chance to break out of their social classes and live their lives differently.
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