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Immigration

A label reading, Most 19th century Chinese immigrants came from Canton. Home to the Pearl River Delta and bordering Hong Kong, the coastal region had been a major trade center for centuries. In the 1800s, however, conditions in parts of Canton deteriorated due to famines, economic instability, wars, and rebellions. At mid-century, the hardships coincided with stories of gold and incredible wealth across the Pacific Ocean — in a land the Chinese named Gum Shan (“Gold Mountain”). The chance to make quick money in the United States and return to China with newfound security and status motivated thousands of young men to emigrate. And in the 1860s, thousands were recruited for labor on the Transcontinental Railroad. It was the beginning of a large-scale Chinese presence in America.
A postcard of an illustration of the inside of an Immigration Steamship. A large crowded room where people converse and eat
A label reading, Ship conditions varied while crossing the Pacific Ocean, but Chinese immigrants were largely confined to the steerage level. The crowded quarters below deck and minimal food rations exacerbated challenges like illness and turbulent seas. Weather was key to the success of a journey, which took an average of two months.
A Pacific Mail Steamship ad showing fare rates
A photograph of Officers of the Chinese Six Companies. Label reads, After release from customs, immigrants were greeted by agents of several Chinese associations, collectively called the Six Companies. The associations developed in the 1850s and represented the six Cantonese districts from which most of the Chinese originated. Led by influential merchants, the groups formed to assist newcomers and provide support, supplies, and job leads. This assistance became especially important by the 1870s, when anti-Chinese sentiment reached a fever pitch.
A museum label featuring immigration papers. Label reads: Starting in 1892, Chinese immigrants living in the United States were required to always carry identification papers.

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