Celia I think that you will find that there was variation from being totally sponsored by a family member already here to partial support for passage to paying for their own passage. In 1876 it was less likely that immigrants were sponsored because there were fewer established families in the U.S. During later years, 1890 to well into the 1900s, there was more opportunity for immigrants to become established here and have the resources to assist in paying for other family members to emigrate. In the case of my family and their friends from the village of Schulz, well established families were able to pay their own passage. Young unmarried men or newlyweds usually needed help from family who preceded them. My grandparents along with 3 sons and a daughter arrived in Sheboygan, Wis in March of 1903. They paid their way by selling their household goods and livestock before leaving. Later my father, who was 9 at the time of immigration, sent tickets and funds for passage to young nephews who had no resources. A piece of memorabilia that I am proud of is the cancelled check for passage of one of them. Just as important as assistance in passage was support in this country. My grandfather was sponsored locally by a cousin who preceded him by 10 years and had arranged for employment. As a result my grandfather went to work on the morning after arrival in Sheboygan. My grandparents also provided housing for at least 3 young couples during the next ten years. They stayed with them for a few weeks to a year until they could get out on their own. I am sure that there are thousands of stories out there like mine. Ward R Richter 5736 Lakeside Road Leeds, AL 35094 -----Original Message----- From: ger-volga-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ger-volga-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of celia condit Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 9:32 AM To: GER-VOLGA@rootsweb.com Subject: [GV] travel to US in general, were volga germans arriving to the United States sponsored by someone already here. or did the travellers fund their own passage? my ancestors came to NY on the USS Frisia in august, 1876. i would appreciate being directed to any resource about this. thank you! celia -- celia condit searcher 2838 garrison street, san diego, california 92106 USA phone 619-226-2403 * fax 619-226-1332 baja whalewatching * http://www.bajawhale.com * searcher@bajawhale.com long-range sportfishing * http://www.searchersportfishing.com * reservations@searchersportfishihg.com pelagic birding * http://www.bajawhale.com/birdingtrips.html great white shark cage diving * http://www.greatwhiteadventures.com ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GER-VOLGA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message