New York City and the Historical Ellis Island
Year after year, tourists flock to New York City to see the sights, going to the Empire State Building, taking NYC bus tours, and visiting Ellis Island. Some visit for fun, while others are interested in the history. For those who come in search of historical sites, a Statue of Liberty Tour is a must-see. More than a tourist stop, Ellis Island evokes feelings of fear and hope when reminiscing about the millions of immigrants who entered the United States through this historic place. Those feelings become more personal when realizing that statistics state that approximately 40 percent of United States citizens are descendants of Ellis Island immigrants. In fact, that is precisely why so many people want to visit Ellis Island: They hope to see original records of their relatives who were processed here and discover their family's stories.
What Is Ellis Island?
Ellis Island is located at the mouth of the Hudson River, between the states of New York and New Jersey. This historic site opened in 1892 as an immigration station that processed newly arriving immigrants. For those coming to the United States, there was great hope for a new life. However, anyone suspected of being physically or mentally ill was turned away and sent off on the next ship, turning that hope into devastation. Since life in their home countries was unbearable, many took the chance and came anyway, at least until the doors closed in 1954.
Why Is Ellis Island Important?
Records indicate that the United States was significantly populated by immigrants who came through Ellis Island. Between 1900 and 1914, it was not uncommon for Ellis Island to process up to 10,000 immigrants per day. People fled home countries that were suffering from poverty or civil unrest in search of a productive economy and peaceful life.
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Crossing the Atlantic (PDF)
Defining Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of one's ancestry. This is accomplished by creating a family tree from information provided by family members and public records. It is a tedious and time-consuming job that can take hours of searching through birth and death certificates as well as census and immigration records. In some cases, people have been known to piece together the family tree through land records as well.
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What Is Genealogy? (PDF)
What Can We Find Out From Ellis Island's Records?
Whether you have family members who traveled through Ellis Island or you are simply a history buff, Ellis Island records can provide a wealth of information, including a comprehensive list of all of the immigrants who traveled to the United States from 1892 through 1954. Included in this list is the location they came from, which can help a genealogist track down their lineage. Some records may also include photographs taken as immigrants were processed.
Genealogy Tips, Passenger Searches, and Other Ellis Island Information
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Interactive Tour of Ellis Island: Those who are unable to visit Ellis Island in person can go online and take this virtual tour.
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Ellis Island Immigration Museum: Take a virtual tour of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum led by Peter Urban.
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Immigration and Deportation at Ellis Island: Read this article presented by PBS to learn more about immigration and deportation at Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.
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Face of America: Ellis Island Immigration Museum: View this short video and discover the history of Ellis Island.
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Ellis Island: Facts About the Immigration Center and Beyond: Explore this detailed history of Ellis Island provided by AM New York.
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What America's Immigrants Looked Like When They Arrived on Ellis Island: Take a look back in history with this story and snapshots provided by the Washington Post.
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Why Your Family Name Was Not Changed at Ellis Island (and One That Was): This is a great article presented by the New York Public Library that discusses the myth that passengers coming into the United States through Ellis Island had their names changes.
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10 Things to Know: Passenger Lists (PDF): Save time and energy by reviewing this extensive list of things to know before searching for ancestors.
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Genealogy 101: The Colorado State Archives provides this guide to help people perform successful genealogy searches.
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Searching Your Family History: Cardinal Rules of Genealogy Search (PDF): This document provides valuable information for those wondering how and where to start their genealogy search.
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Getting Started Researching Your Family History: The Wisconsin Historical Society provides a wealth of information for those just starting out their family history search.
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Begin Building Your Family Tree: Visit the AARP website to learn the basics of how to search for family history and build a family tree.
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Genealogical Research at the Library of Congress (PDF): Review this comprehensive guide for detailed instructions on how to research genealogy at the Library of Congress.
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The Official Federal Land Records Site: Search the Bureau of Land Management for details on property owned by family members.
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Search American Battle Monuments Commission Burials: Genealogy searches involve death records, and the American Battle Monuments Commission provides detailed records on military members buried or memorialized overseas.
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Digital State Archives: Search this database for state-specific records and history.
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Family History: Search libraries like St. Joseph County's for detailed family histories.
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Ellis Island Online Database 1892-1924: This website provides tools, a searchable database, and more information on Ellis Island immigrants.
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Immigration to the United States, 1789-1930: Here, readers can review Harvard's extensive library collection focused on immigration to the United States from 1789 to 1930.