History of Ellis Island Social Studies Grade 6. Ellis Island Located in the New York Harbor

History of History of Ellis Island Ellis Island

Social StudiesSocial StudiesGrade 6Grade 6

Ellis IslandEllis Island

Located in the New York Harbor.Located in the New York Harbor.

Ellis Island Ellis Island

Ellis Island Ellis Island 27.5 Acre site off the tip of Manhattan 27.5 Acre site off the tip of Manhattan

Island, New York.Island, New York. Estimated that half of all Americans can Estimated that half of all Americans can

trace their family heritage to a family trace their family heritage to a family member who came through the Port of member who came through the Port of New York at Ellis Island.New York at Ellis Island.

Between 1880 and 1930Between 1880 and 1930 Over 27 Million came to the United States.Over 27 Million came to the United States. Estimated that approximately 20 million came Estimated that approximately 20 million came

through Ellis Island.through Ellis Island.


After 1892After 1892 Almost all immigrants came through Ellis Island.Almost all immigrants came through Ellis Island. Originally equipped to handle 5,000 immigrants Originally equipped to handle 5,000 immigrants

each day.each day. Later expanded to handle 16,000 immigrants Later expanded to handle 16,000 immigrants

each day.each day.


Families:Families: Men typically came alone and saved their Men typically came alone and saved their

money to send for their families or to return money to send for their families or to return home after they made and saved money.home after they made and saved money.

All who arrived were subject to a health All who arrived were subject to a health inspection.inspection.• Passed: allowed to stayPassed: allowed to stay• Failed: sent back homeFailed: sent back home

Travel to America became more affordable Travel to America became more affordable because of the Steam Engine Vessels. because of the Steam Engine Vessels. Voyages were safer, faster, and cheaper. Voyages were safer, faster, and cheaper.

Ellis Island Ellis Island Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

Restricted immigration to America from Restricted immigration to America from China.China. Men who were already here could not bring over Men who were already here could not bring over

their families. their families. 1907 Gentlemen1907 Gentlemen’’s Agreement with Japans Agreement with Japan

Extended hostility toward Asian workers/families.Extended hostility toward Asian workers/families. Beginning of Angel Island Immigration Station in Beginning of Angel Island Immigration Station in

San Francisco Bay.San Francisco Bay.• As close as they would get. As close as they would get.


Decline of ImmigrationDecline of Immigration 1914 (Start of World War I)1914 (Start of World War I)

• American attitudes changed about immigration.American attitudes changed about immigration.• A sense of nationalism and suspicion of foreigners A sense of nationalism and suspicion of foreigners

began to rise and loyalties were questioned.began to rise and loyalties were questioned. 19201920’’ss

• Immigration laws passed that limited the flow of Immigration laws passed that limited the flow of immigrants into America. immigrants into America.

Ellis Island-History Ellis Island-History Known as Oyster Island during the Dutch & Known as Oyster Island during the Dutch &

English colonial periods. English colonial periods. Samuel Ellis was the islandSamuel Ellis was the island’’s private owner s private owner

in the 1770in the 1770’’s.s. Had many names: Kioshk, Oyster, Dyre, Had many names: Kioshk, Oyster, Dyre,

Bucking, and AndersonBucking, and Anderson’’s Island.s Island. Developed from a sandy area into a hanging Developed from a sandy area into a hanging

sight for pirates, harbor fort, ammunition and sight for pirates, harbor fort, ammunition and ordinance depot for Fort Gibson, and finally, ordinance depot for Fort Gibson, and finally, immigration station.immigration station.

1794-1890 1794-1890 Important military role for the United States.Important military role for the United States. Purchased from New York state by the federal Purchased from New York state by the federal

government in 1808.government in 1808.

Ellis Island-History Ellis Island-History

Ellis Island-History Ellis Island-History 33

1892-19541892-1954 Over 12 million using Ellis IslandOver 12 million using Ellis Island

Originally built on 3.3 acres of land and Originally built on 3.3 acres of land and later expanded to 27.5 acres using landfill later expanded to 27.5 acres using landfill from ship ballast and excess earth from from ship ballast and excess earth from the construction of the New York City the construction of the New York City Subway system.Subway system.

Designated first Federal immigration Designated first Federal immigration station by President Benjamin Harrison in station by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890.1890.


Prior to 1890, immigration was regulated by Prior to 1890, immigration was regulated by individual states vs. the federal individual states vs. the federal government.government.

Original Immigration Site in New York?Original Immigration Site in New York? Castle Garden (1855-1890)Castle Garden (1855-1890) Immigrants came from: England, Ireland, Immigrants came from: England, Ireland,

Germany, and the Scandinavian countries.Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. Castle Garden was not equipped to handle the Castle Garden was not equipped to handle the

growing number of immigrants coming to growing number of immigrants coming to America due to deplorable conditions in America due to deplorable conditions in Europe.Europe.



Ellis Island opened Ellis Island opened January 1, 1892January 1, 1892

First Person:First Person: Annie Morre, age 15 Annie Morre, age 15

from Irelandfrom Ireland• Came from Came from

Queenstown, Queenstown, IrelandIreland

• Departed: Departed: December 20, 1891December 20, 1891


DISASTER STRIKES ELLIS ISLANDDISASTER STRIKES ELLIS ISLAND JUNE 14, 1897 a fire burns Ellis Island to the JUNE 14, 1897 a fire burns Ellis Island to the

ground.ground.• All immigration records lostAll immigration records lost

Rebirth: Ellis Island was rebuilt, now fireproof, Rebirth: Ellis Island was rebuilt, now fireproof, and reopened its doors December 17, 1900.and reopened its doors December 17, 1900. 2,251 Immigrants cam through Ellis Island that 2,251 Immigrants cam through Ellis Island that

day...day...

Ellis IslandEllis IslandTreatment by Class…Treatment by Class…

"Immigrants sailed to America in hopes of "Immigrants sailed to America in hopes of carving out new destinies for themselves. Most carving out new destinies for themselves. Most were fleeing religious persecution, political were fleeing religious persecution, political oppression and economic hardships. Thousands oppression and economic hardships. Thousands of people arrived daily in New York Harbor on of people arrived daily in New York Harbor on steamships from mostly Eastern and Southern steamships from mostly Eastern and Southern Europe. The first and second class passengers Europe. The first and second class passengers were allowed to pass inspection aboard ship and were allowed to pass inspection aboard ship and go directly ashore. Only steerage passengers go directly ashore. Only steerage passengers had to take the ferry to Ellis Island for had to take the ferry to Ellis Island for inspection." …unknowninspection." …unknown

Ellis Island-History Ellis Island-History

Treatment by Class…Treatment by Class…

First and Second Class:First and Second Class: Cursory inspection (passing inspection)Cursory inspection (passing inspection) Theory: if they could afford the more Theory: if they could afford the more

expensive ticket, they were less likely to expensive ticket, they were less likely to become a burden to the American society become a burden to the American society (medical or legal).(medical or legal).

Passengers who failed the inspection, went Passengers who failed the inspection, went through to Ellis Island for further inspection. through to Ellis Island for further inspection.

Ellis Island-History Ellis Island-History Treatment by Class…Treatment by Class…

Third Class… (Steerage passengers)Third Class… (Steerage passengers) Traveled with few amenities.Traveled with few amenities. Upon arrival, they were transported by ferry or Upon arrival, they were transported by ferry or

barge to Ellis Island where they underwent barge to Ellis Island where they underwent medical and legal inspection.medical and legal inspection.

Inspection:Inspection: 3 to 5 hours in length if they 3 to 5 hours in length if they were in reasonably good were in reasonably good health.health.

Ellis IslandEllis IslandExamination RoomExamination Room


Treatment by Class…Treatment by Class…

Medical Inspection:Medical Inspection: Doctors inspected all third class Doctors inspected all third class

people for any ailments.people for any ailments. Took place in the RegistryTook place in the Registry Room (Great Hall)Room (Great Hall) Typically passed their Typically passed their inspection as long as the inspection as long as the doctors could find no doctors could find no contagious diseases. contagious diseases.

Legal Inspection:Legal Inspection: Prior to leaving: Noted name Prior to leaving: Noted name and questionnaire.and questionnaire.

EXAMPLE OF IMMIGRANT RECORDS….

Ellis Island-History Ellis Island-History DepartmentsDepartments

Departments responsible for inspections Departments responsible for inspections were …were … United States Public Health ServiceUnited States Public Health Service Bureau of Immigration (Immigration and Bureau of Immigration (Immigration and

Naturalization Service {a.k.a. INS} )Naturalization Service {a.k.a. INS} )


Only 2 % were turned away.Only 2 % were turned away. Reasons:Reasons:

• Doctors diagnosed a contagious disease.Doctors diagnosed a contagious disease.• Legal ramifications: if they thought the person Legal ramifications: if they thought the person

would become a public charge or an illegal laborer.would become a public charge or an illegal laborer.

1907: Many thought immigration had 1907: Many thought immigration had slowed down. 1907 had the largest slowed down. 1907 had the largest number of immigrants pass through Ellis number of immigrants pass through Ellis Island. Island. 1.25 million immigrants were processed.1.25 million immigrants were processed.

Ellis IslandEllis IslandClosesCloses

November 1954November 1954 Last Immigrant: Arne Peterssen.Last Immigrant: Arne Peterssen.

19651965 President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island

part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Opened to the public: 1976-1984Opened to the public: 1976-1984 1984: Restoration of Ellis Island ($160 Million)1984: Restoration of Ellis Island ($160 Million) Re-opened: September 10, 1990Re-opened: September 10, 1990

• Average of 2 million visitors per year. Average of 2 million visitors per year.

Works ConsultedWorks Consulted

http://ellisisland.org/genealogy/http://ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_history.aspellis_island_history.asp

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/annie_moore.asp

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_famous_arrivals.asp

Documents

History of Ellis Island Social Studies Grade 6. Ellis Island Located in the New York Harbor