People from different parts went to America because they needed the chance for a new life.
In the 1800 s the peasants of Ireland had a hard life. The peasants rented the land on which they lived. To make a living and pay the rent.
The British government ruled Ireland at that time, and most of the food which was grown in Ireland was shipped to England. People called potatoes "Lumpers". The peasants had no money, so they lived on potatoes. Potatoes were the only food for the poor at that time.
In 1845, disaster came to the potato fields. A plant disease attacked the potato plants. When they turned black, they rotted and died. For the following three years, the potato crops of Ireland were destroyed and the people suffered a lot.
With their only source of food gone, the peasants were starving. More than a million people died, and many of those left decided that they had to leave Ireland where they had lived for many years.
A great emigration to America began. Thousands of people crossed the ocean to a new land and for a new life.