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 ...