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After years of hard work, William and Hannah have saved enough money to buy large landholdings in Southern California. Hannah’s parents move too, but the eldest son Fritz stays in Ohio. The two youngest children, Ava and Ewald, stay in St. Louis to practice medicine. They do not speak or teach German to their children. You do not settle near a German community in California.

The children write letters and visit when they are able. The drive to Southern California isn't easy. The visits are few and far between.

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Prohibitionists use anti-German sentiment to attack the morality of German brewers. Temperance activists circulate literature associating German people with alcoholism and moral corruption.

When people hear the older adults in the family speaking with a German accent, people look at them with suspicion. When word gets out about the children’s German heritage patients turn to other doctors, putting the success of their medical practices in jeopardy.

What else can you do to succeed here?

What more can you sacrifice to be "real" Americans?

A. Music and Dancing

B. Close Knit and Spiritual

C. Fun Loving Story Tellers

Moment of Reflection:
Do you think giving so much up will allow you to be accepted as true Americans?

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Despite their earlier troubles at school, your two youngest children attend medical school in St. Louis. They both graduate with honors and stay in St. Louis where they establish medical practices. They each speak English with almost no discernable accent.

Are the sacrifices you made finally enough to keep your family safe and successful? Only time will tell.

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The state’s Americanization Committee begins banning German books in public libraries. The state then passes the Ake Law of 1919, which prohibits teaching the German language in both public and private schools.

Your entire family speaks German at home and just started learning to read English.

The family still feels unsafe in their new home. What will you give up so your family will feel safe?

A. Music and Dancing

B. Close Knit and Spiritual

C. Fun Loving Story Tellers

A moment for reflection:
How are you feeling about the choices you have made so far?

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World War I brings increased anti-German sentiment to your new rural hometown in Ohio. Your children are harassed at school for being “traitors” and “spies.

You must learn to appear more American.

What identity will you give up to protect your family?

A. Music and Dancing

B. Close Knit and Spiritual

C. Fun Loving Story Tellers

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Fortunately, the community in Ohio where you settle has a tight network of other German immigrants. Business opportunities within your ethnic community come easily.

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Welcome to Ellis Island, gateway to the United States for everyone without a first or second class ticket. This is how over 12 million people will enter the U.S.—In fact, over 40% of all Americans can trace their roots to someone who passed through here.

Welcome to the Melting Pot!

You will need to fit in, so hard decisions must be made.

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MEMBERS:

William Altheusser, (father)

Hannah Baer Altheusser, (mother)

Clemens Baer (grandfather)

Erna Baer (grandmother)

Fritz Altheusser, age 21

Ava Altheusser, age 7

Ewald Altheusser, age 6

OCCUPATION:

Family farm, specializing in sale of livestock

FROM:

Bayern (Bavaria), “Germany”

MIGRATION TO STATES:

1900, farming business couldn’t compete with rapid industrialization.

You relocate to a farming town in Ohio, where many other German families have immigrated.

Click Here for your family identity