The Immigrant Experience Ellis Island

Ports of Entry Port Number of Immigrants Ellis Island, NY 12,000,000 Boston, MA 2,000,000 Baltimore, MD 1,500,000 Philadelphia, PA 1,200,000 New Orleans, LA 710,000 Angel Island San Francisco, CA 500,000 Key West, FL 130,000 Portland, ME 120,000 Galveston, TX 110,000 May/June 1999 issue of Family Chornicle

Immigration Totals 1820-1920 Country Total Germany 5,500,000 Ireland 4,400,000 Italy 4,190,000 Austria-Hungary 3,700,000 Russia 3,250,000 Canada 2,700,000 England 2,500,000 Sweden 1,000,000 Norway 730,000 Scotland 570,000 France 530,000 China 375,000 Greece 350,000 Japan 330,000 Turkey 320,000 Denmark 300,000 Switzerland 258,000 Portugal 210.000 Holland 200,000 Belgium 140,000 Spain 130,000 AFRICA 25,000 Immigrants at Ellis Island http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/

Immigrants In 1860 the population of the United States was 31.5 million people. Between 1865 and 1920, close to 30 million additional people entered the United States. Reasons they came: Land and job shortages Crop failures and famine High taxes and oppressive governments Escaping religious persecution Swedes escaping crop failures

Steamer Ships A description of the den dignified by the name of steerage will show the regard of the steamship company for the comfort of poor travelers. Imagine a wooden cell some 36 feet or so in length, 12 feet wide at one end, but narrowing to about 5 feet at the further extremity; instead of a ceiling, a hatchway opening on to the main deck; two dirty ladders, placed almost perpendicularly, forming a staircase. Pall Mall Gazette August 9, 1879

Steamer Ships Video Start at ch 5 welcome garbage show about 10 minutes.

Located in New York Harbor, immigrants from Europe would travel the Atlantic and arrive to be processed at Ellis Island, the main entry point for immigrants into the United States. For millions, this tiny island would be their first experience in the United States. For some, it would also be their last. Ellis Island

The Island Ellis Island served as the entry point for a majority of new immigrants from 1892 until it closed in 1954. More than 12 million immigrants were processed here.

Processing Stations Evidently the doctor was in no hurry; for we stood crowded together, in the heat of that summer day, two mortal hours, waiting his pleasure. Poor mothers! Poor babies! Tired, hot, and hungry (for no dinner had been served), the little ones cried incessantly, while the women complained in a high key, and twelve nationalities of men swore. - H. Phelps Whitmarsh, 1898 A health inspection of Chinese Immigrants at Angel Island. A long line of immigrants Waiting to be processed at Ellis Island.

Baggage Room The First Step Many immigrants came with little more than the clothes on their back. The arriving immigrants checked most of their baggage in the first-floor Baggage Room before heading to the great hall for processing by U.S. Immigrations Inspectors.

Stairs of Separation As the immigrants walked up the staircase, U.S. Health Officials watched them for signs of a number of illnesses. Those that could not make it would be turned back immediately.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall Known as the Registry Room, this is where millions of immigrants were processed for admission to the United States. Immigrants would wait in line for hours Would be interviewed by many different inspectors Lucy Attarian's Story

Medical Exams The inspector would take about 7 seconds to determine if the immigrant had any infectious diseases. Some would be deported and some would be quarantined until they got better. Only two percent of the arriving immigrants were not allowed to enter.

Cafeteria Bill of Fare for Ellis Island Dining Room November 19, 1906 Breakfast: Coffee with Milk and Sugar, Bread and Butter, Crackers and Milk Dinner: Beef Stew, Boiled Potatoes and Rye Bread, Smoked or Pickled Herring for the Hebrews, Crackers and Milk Supper: Baked Beans, Stewed Prunes and Rye Bread, Tea with Milk and Sugar, Crackers and Milk" -Ellis Island Immigrant Cook Book, Tom Bernadin

Dormitories Immigrants that were detained for medical or other reasons stayed in these rooms, tightly packed with rows of bunk beds. Those who were highly contagious stayed in tiny, single-person cells.

The Kissing Post After immigrants were approved for admission, they would walk down the stairs to reunite with their loved ones. This area became known as the kissing post.

Video of the Process http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ztomczfw8

Final Destination Only one-third of the immigrants who came to the United States through Ellis Island stayed in New York City. Immigrants were given tags to pin to their hats or coats. The tags showed railroad conductors what lines the immigrants were traveling and what connections to make to reach their destinations.

Ship Manifest