Post by jessen on Jan 8, 2010 18:02:07 GMT -5
Full Name: Brynner Graetz
Newsie name: Jessen
Name origin: When Brynner was in the Registry Room at Ellis Island, an immigration official collecting information on Brynner asked him his name. At the time, Brynner only knew and understood a little English, and spoke even less. He misunderstood the man's question, thinking that he had asked him where he was from, so he replied, "Jessen".
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Jessen, Germany
Location: New York (looking for lodging....)
History: Brynner Graetz was born in Jessen, Germany in 1878 to Ehren and Edana Graetz. When he was eight years old, he was apprenticed to a local blacksmith in Jessen, and trained under the craft system. He was one of two boys apprenticed at the forge. During his apprenticeship, Brynner learned from the master blacksmith in the town, while working for room and board. His apprenticeship lasted eight years, finishing when he was fifteen years old. Following his apprenticeship, he was certified as a journeyman. In this stage, Brynner worked for wages under the master for two years. In June of 1895, when Brynner was seventeen years old, the master gave him his approval to move on and proceed to build his own business. However, by the time that Brynner finished his complete apprenticeship (first and second stage), and with the wages he had earned as a journeyman, his parents had saved up enough money to pay for the expenses for the family to emigrate to America.
In July of 1895, seventeen year old Brynner, along with his parents, Ehren and Edana, and twin siblings, eight year old Dietrich and Annika, boarded a steamer bound for New York, leaving Germany behind and looking forward to life in New York. They traveled in third class on the steamer, in crowded and unsanitary conditions near the bottom of the ship. Edana suffered from seasickness for the first three weeks, and halfway through, Ehren fell sick as well. He developed a fever that lasted for three days, before subsiding. Brynner and his siblings also felt the effects of seasickness, but for a much shorter duration. Within a week, they were back on their feet.
The steamer arrived in New York City and docked at the Hudson River pier. The first people to disembark from the steamer were the First and Second Class passengers. After disembarking, the First and Second class passengers passed through customs, and then were permitted to venture into New York. Brynner, his family, and other steerage and third class passengers were next. They were transported to Ellis Island from the Hudson River pier by ferry. All third class and steerage passengers were required to undergo a thorough medical and legal examination. As the disembarked from the ferry, they were required to check their heaviest baggage with immigration officials. Ehren and Edana were weak from the boat ride. Ehren was carrying the family’s worn brown suitcase that was full of all their clothes. Edana was carrying a smaller suitcase containing the family's meager valuables, what little they could take with them. The area was crowded, other immigrants pushing and shoving, trying to maintain balance and to not be separated from their relatives and friends. Amidst the crowd, someone bumped into Edana, and she dropped the small, worn suitcase she was carrying. The old buckles broke, and the suitcase burst open. The suitcase was not full, but it contained the family’s meager valuables: Diesel’s leather journal, given to him by his grandfather for his eighth birthday, Edana’s silver candle holders, Ehren’s woodworking tools, and Annika’s flute. Several other items fell on the hard cement too. Brynner turned as Diesel came hurrying up to Annika and gave to her the battered, black flute case. He watched Diesel with a smile, as Diesel gave her a hug before hurrying back to their mother. A few moments later, Diesel caught up with them again, Edana in step behind him. As they neared the entrance to the first building they were to enter, Brynner reached out and gave Diesel a quick, one-armed hug.
The crowd was ushered into a large building, and down a hall. The hall intersected with another up ahead. As they drew closer, Brynner noticed a number a number of immigration officials standing around staring intently at the crowd. They seemed to be inspecting them, assessing them. He would not admit it, but he was nervous. He felt a small warm hand grasp his and he looked down to see that Dietrich had reached out and slipped his hand into Brynner’s. "Do not worry, diesel. Stay close, and I am sure everything will be fine."
They were nearing the end of the hallway, and Brynner could now see what lay at either end of the intersecting hall. At each end, there were two stair cases. Up ahead and to the left, an immigration official was directing people to either staircase. Before his eyes, he watched as a father was pushed to the left while the mother and the infant were directed to the right. Brynner and his siblings were directed to the right. Brynner looked behind him, checking to make sure his parents were to follow, and saw the same official shoving them to the left. Brynner froze, filled with panic. Where were they going? What did it mean, to be sent to the left? “Mutter!” someone cried out. Brynner glanced down, startled out of his reverie, and realized it was Dietrich who had spoken. Dietrich was staring after their parents with a forlorn expression. "Dietrich," Brynner began to speak as he wondered at the feeling of dread that took root in his mind at the sight of parents heading the opposite direction, "Diesel," he began again, "Let's go". He wasn't sure what more to say. He was stunned. That was the last time that Brynner saw his mother and father. He and his siblings continued up the stairs into the Registry Room (Great Hall). There, doctors inspected them for physical ailments, and immigration officials asked them general legal questions regarding their identities, backgrounds, and other general subjects.
Hair Color: Dirty Blond
Hair Style: Messy, shaggy mop of hair...
Eye Color: blue/grey
Complexion: tan
Height: 5'6
Weight: 158
Clothing Style: worn-out, frayed trousers; long sleeved shirts, cuffs usually rolled up to his elbows
Items owned: Violin and case (plus necessary accessories), black leather journal (departure gift from his grandfather); small, brown wood dog (gift; whittled by Dietrich)
Troubles: Brynner's a bit of a delinquent. He is new to America, new to New York, and unsure of his surroundings. He subconsciously fears being uncertain about things, which prompts him to be impulsive, and sometimes to lash out. He is struggling with his parents having been sent back to Germany, and struggling to find work. Overall, he is rather withdrawn, except with Dietrich and Annika.
Fears: sustaining an injury in the forge; being sent back to Germany; losing Dietrich or Annika; uncertainty
Siblings: Dietrich "Diesel" (8 yrs.), Annika "Anneliese" (8 yrs.)
Parents: Ehren and Edana Graetz
Notes/Research:
"In Germany, at that time, blacksmiths were trained under the craft or guild system, normally lasting from three to seven years. The crafts were quite specialized, each craft having its own guild. During an apprenticeship, the apprentice learned from a master while working for room and board. After the apprenticeship, the apprentice was certified as a journeyman and could work for wages under the master. Only with the master’s approval he could move on to begin his own business. German-trained blacksmiths were highly skilled specialists, often with artistic skills... In the United States, the blacksmith was less specialized, more practical than artistic, taking on a variety of related tasks--an American blacksmith could be a wagon-maker, wheelwright, and ferrier...."
PB: William Moseley
Welcome to NY; [Brynner Meets Peaches]
ny1899.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=masonsmusic&action=display&thread=2061