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• Most people still had close relatives in Europe. Houses served as entry points for new arrivals.
• Men came first to the U.S. and their families came later. As a result, many lived in boarding houses and did not have stable addresses.
• Since immigration patterns were not established, some new immigrants tried out a couple of locations. a couple of my relatives tried out rural locations in New Jersey and Upstate New York before settling in Brooklyn.

School

• Public schools were focused on the assimilation process. In 1896 the NYC commissioner said the purpose of schools was to obliterate "all the distinguishing foreign characteristics and traits…as obstructive , warring and irritating elements".
• Children did not stay in school long. In the O'Neill family, the eldest two daughters at 13 and 16 were working, the 10 year old was in school and the 6 year old at home.

Self Employment

Grocer

• Francesco Pomarico

Agriculture

Farmer

• People were still farming in Brooklyn during this period although none of my relatives were amongst them.
• John Kenney, Farming on Long Island
• Francesco Blumetti, Farming in NJ in Union County

Public Service and Transportation

Brooklyn Officer # 146

Railroad Flag man

• Thomas O’Neill, 1880

Manufacturing

Bootblack

• Pietro Pomarico, 1900

Laborer

• Pietro Pomarico, 1900
• While, the Irish had once dominated the building trades, by 1897 about 75% of the construction workers in New York City were Italian immigrants.
• In 1910, pick-and shovel laborers earned about $1.75/day, skilled workers $2.75
• Stonecutters and artisans were better paid and able to rise to middle-class living standards making about $4.50/day.

Service Industries

Servant

• Margaret O’Neill,1880,age 16
• Ellen(Nellie) O'Neill, 1880, age 13

Armed Services

14th Brooklyn New York State Militia company E

US Army

• Brooklyn was not eager to participate in the civil war and was the site of riots during this period.
• There was a platoon from the area called the 14th Brooklyn New York State Militia company E.

Italian Army

• Italian men under age 60 still have a military obligation even if they emigrate.
• Pasquale Pomarico went back to fulfill that obligation, possibly more than once.