Dec 16, 1850

Dear Mother,

Hi mommy, how are you doing? I miss you so much! It took me at least a few weeks to get here by ship, and I was seasick. A lot of people died from diseases on the ship. I’m glad I wasn’t one of them. Life is so hard here. When brother and I just got off the ship, those officers changed my name and gave me a more “American-like” name. They changed my name to Angela. Uh…. I hate this name, Anzi sounds much better, although I have no choice, I guess I’ll just “have to” stick with it. And they changed brother’s name to Ben. I guess he likes his “new” name a lot.

Mommy…you know, it wasn’t a good decision to come to America. Remember what our neighbors were saying…that America is so beautiful with democracy and a free place? And about the streets that are made out of gold? It’s all an exaggeration! Brother and I had settled in the Lower East Side of New York. The streets are so narrow, smelly, dirty, and filthy. There are no places to take baths, unless we go to the public baths. In my apartment, auntie, uncle, my cousin, and brother and I are all squished together in one small bed. Mommy!!!! I wish I could go back home! I miss you so much!!

When brother brings me to school, my fellow classmates make fun of me, they tease me because of the way I am dressed and also because I don’t understand English very well. My brain goes empty when the teacher started teaching a lesson and other students raised their hands to participate while I sit there, waiting for you to come and rescue to me and bring me back home!

Brother didn’t go to school. He came and decided that he should find a job and so he did. He works in a sweatshop and he’s been working really hard. But the money he makes for working so hard is worth it. Even though he doesn’t get paid much, he told me that as long as he can work while also learning new skills, it’s worth it. But I always tell him that we came only for earning money so we can bring mommy here with us. Now, I still want us to be together but I rather go back instead of you coming here. Although there is education, life is harder than it is in Russia. Aw…mommy, all I want is just to go home and nowhere else. Well mommy, I’ll write to you next time because I still have school tomorrow and it’s really late now. Mmmwah…Bye my dear mommy. I miss you!

Love your daughter,

Anzi