It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through Ellis Island. This island, at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Harbor, was the point of entry for over 12 million immigrants entering the United States from January 1, 1892 until November 12, 1954. There are many fascinating stories about the island, the immigrants and the immigration process at Ellis Island: the six-second physical examination, the 29 questions which were asked of newcomers, the long transatlantic journey many had to the US as third class cargo, the tragic fate of the 2% who were rejected from admission and returned to their countries of origin and the complex dispute between New York and New Jersey over the island's jurisdiction. This is an enormous subject on which much has been written - for more information try any of the following sites: the overview at Wikipedia, Ellis Island National Monument official site and an Ellis Island web site. The building itself underwent a major $160 million renovation starting in 1984. the island was reopened to the public in 1990. To visit Ellis Island is something everyone should try to do ...
Friday, October 05, 2007
Ellis Island
It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through Ellis Island. This island, at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Harbor, was the point of entry for over 12 million immigrants entering the United States from January 1, 1892 until November 12, 1954. There are many fascinating stories about the island, the immigrants and the immigration process at Ellis Island: the six-second physical examination, the 29 questions which were asked of newcomers, the long transatlantic journey many had to the US as third class cargo, the tragic fate of the 2% who were rejected from admission and returned to their countries of origin and the complex dispute between New York and New Jersey over the island's jurisdiction. This is an enormous subject on which much has been written - for more information try any of the following sites: the overview at Wikipedia, Ellis Island National Monument official site and an Ellis Island web site. The building itself underwent a major $160 million renovation starting in 1984. the island was reopened to the public in 1990. To visit Ellis Island is something everyone should try to do ...
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8 comments:
A very nice place. I wish i could visit NY someday :)
Great blog!
cheers
I have never seen Ellis Island so close. Really special picture.
Thank you for your representation of NYC - from the details to the larger pictures, I think you've really captured it. Great work! Thanks!
-Alicia
Brian- I enjoy the posts that you do that have to do with the history or, as with yesterday's post on The Beresford, the architecture of the city. As an all too infrequent visitor to New York, your blog has become my daily "NYC fix"! Very enjoyable-thanks!
Thanks all - It's good to know that the postings involving architecture and/or history are appreciated!
We did spring break with our two children in NY this year and absolutely loved Ellis Island. They were mesmerized by the history--we were so moved by the lives and stories of these brave people. We felt both tremendous pride and a bit of shame in our country. You're right--every American should visit and carefully tour Ellis Island.
I've been living here for a few years now but I still have not found the time to visit it. Shame on me.
good posting.i like it. thank u. :)-
bathmate
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