Emigration from Dalmatia (Croatia) to the United States from 1892 to 1924 – Analysis of the Ellis Island Database

Abstract

Although emigration from present-day Croatia, particularly from Dalmatia, to the United States has often been discussed in papers dealing with the Croatian diaspora and emigration waves, there has been no well-documented analysis of the places of origin, ages of the emigrants, or the dates and causes of their emigration. This paper analyses the intensity of emigration from Dalmatia to the USA in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and information about the immigrants by consulting the Ellis Island Database. Methodology included both descriptive and inferential statistics. A database search by ethnicity (using the parameter "Dalmatian") resulted in 24,901 records. The largest group were young adults (aged 15-26), who accounted for 51.8%. The immigrants were predominantly males from rural settlements on the islands or in the hinterland. The most important push factors were the harsh economic situation (brought about by grapevine pests, underdeveloped industry, the lack of arable land etc.) and the intention to avoid conscription into the Austro-Hungarian Army.