Conditions for steerage passengers were cramped, as shown in this 1902 photo. Passengers were allowed to bring only their most cherished possessions, such as the teddy bear from Switzerland and the Hebrew prayer book from Poland, both of which made the crossing to the United States with their owners in 1921.
(steerage: Granger, NYC — All rights reserved; prayer book and teddy bear: Metaform Inc./Karen Yamauchi of artifacts in the National Park Service Collection, Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Book: gift of Jean C. Osaja. Bear: gift of Gertrude Schneider Smith)