Dear Sharon: Many did come from Europe through New Orleans and up the Mississippi in the 1840's and 1850's, but I think the question was regarding an 1888 migration from Maryland. By that time the railroad was well established through Rock Island and across the Mississippi west. I would certainly consider that route. My grandmother came from ireland to Philadelphia in 1886 and then to Rock Island County. I do not know how she got there, but I know it was not via New Orleans and the Mississippi. I have always supposed railroad. Merriel