West Indian Immigration to Pennsylvania in the early 1900s

Johann850

Good day,

I am working on a project on West Indian immigration to the United States, specifically Pennsylvania, in the early 20th century. 

My goal is to tell the story of how black West Indians faired socioeconomically in Philadelphia in the early 1900s. Where they worked, the rates at which they were skilled or unskilled laborers, how their life was in the city, and where they came from and why. I have gotten some good information on that front, but of course, could always use more. I need 2 to 3 feature stories, that I can focus on to bring this project to life. I already have one on a man who was born in the West Indies and became a religious leader. I need pictures and a life story.

I have been going to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Library Company, and the National Archives in Philadelphia. I have also been on Ancestry and FamilySearch, but maybe I am missing something.

I hope to hear back from the group soon.  

Robert Lindsey Helmig

I suggest continuing your search by looking at Naturalizations in Philadelphia.

Ancestry.com has a collection called Pennsylvania, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1795-1931 You can search for an individual or a geographic area. Search West Indies in the birth field, choose a few names and start researching those stories to see what you can find.