How a surprising detail in bank records helped a historian bust a longstanding myth about Irish immigrants

Tyler Anbinder, a historian, uncovered surprising details about Irish immigrants in the United States during the 19th century. Contrary to popular belief, the bank records he examined showed that even day laborers in the Five Points neighborhood had substantial savings. Anbinder used these records to challenge the prevailing perception of Irish immigrants as impoverished and unsuccessful. He discovered that many famine immigrants achieved upward mobility, with a significant number transitioning to white-collar jobs. Anbinder’s research aims to shed light on the ambition and determination of these immigrants and challenge stereotypes that still persist today.