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Chances are that either you or someone you know is one of the 100 million Americans who can trace their roots in the United States to an immigrant who entered the country through Ellis Island. Ellis Island lies in the Hudson River, one mile from the tip of Manhattan, New York. From 1892, when the Ellis Island immigration station opened, until it closed in 1954, more than 12 million immigrants passed through its doors.
Why did so many people emigrate to the U.S. during the early part of the 20th century? Well, when Ellis Island began receiving immigrants in 1892, the U.S. was one of the world's youngest nations. At the time, America was in great need of workers and encouraged immigration. But the need for labor was only part of the equation. Many people throughout the world came to the U.S. seeking refuge from political and religious persecution; others came to take advantage of the economic opportunities that America had to offer. The introduction of steam power also played a big role. In the 1890s, steamships replaced sailing vessels and cut the time of an Atlantic crossing from three months to two weeks. These new ships could accommodate as many as 2,000 passengers in steerage, the section for passengers paying the lowest fares, so more people could make the trip.
On New Year's Day, 1892, 15-year-old Annie Moore from County Cork, Ireland, became the first immigrant to enter Ellis Island. Miss Moore must have had a pretty strong constitution; not only did she leave her homeland, but as a passenger in steerage, she probably had a really tough time during the crossing. Steerage, which was located on the lower decks, was jammed with metal bunk units three bunks high, and the air was disgusting from the smell of rotting food, seasickness, and unwashed bodies. Fortunately, by 1910, many steerage sections had been replaced with nicer cabins.
Annie Moore was one of the lucky immigrants. Not all who made the ocean crossing were allowed to enter the U.S. About 20% of the immigrants were detained on Ellis Island, and 2% were deported back to their homelands for either medical or political reasons or because authorities believed they would require too much public assistance.
In 1990, 36 years after it closed, a renovated Ellis Island re-opened as a public museum. If you can, visit Ellis Island to experience a glimpse of history first hand. It's well worth the trip—even our ancestors thought so.
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