Common items:
* Clothing: Simple, durable clothing for the long journey and life in America.
* Food: Dried foods, such as rice, noodles, and preserved meats, to supplement their journey.
* Tools: Some immigrants brought tools for their trade, such as farming tools, sewing needles, or carpentry tools.
* Household goods: Basic items like bowls, chopsticks, and teapots, often cherished family heirlooms.
* Medicinal herbs: Traditional Chinese medicine was important, and many immigrants brought their own supplies.
* Lucky charms: A reminder of their home and a source of comfort on the journey.
* Letters and pictures: To maintain connections with loved ones left behind.
Factors affecting what they brought:
* Economic status: Wealthier immigrants could afford more luxurious items.
* Destination: Those going to mining areas might bring different tools than those settling in cities.
* The time period: As immigration laws changed, restrictions were placed on what immigrants could bring.
* Personal beliefs and cultural practices: Some items held deep cultural significance and were considered essential.
The journey was often arduous and most immigrants arrived with very few belongings. Their focus was on survival and making a new life in America. The items they brought represent not only practical necessities but also a connection to their past and a hope for a better future.