Ellis Island
Doc/A.Ernewein/2007
Ellis
Island is a small island in Upper New York Bay, lying about 1.6 km (1 mi)
southwest of the Battery, on Manhattan, and about 396 m (1,300 ft) east of
Jersey City, N.J. The island, originally 1.3 ha (3.3 acres) but over time
enlarged by mostly landfill to 11.1 ha (27.5 acres), was a major U.S.
immigration station from 1892 to 1954.
How many
people passed through Ellis
Island ?
.
Click on
START THE JOURNEY
Stop
1 : The arrival click on photo
Did all the
immigrants coming to New York have to pass through Ellis Island ? Why
not ?
Click on
audio and listen to Lawrence Meinwald from Poland.
How old was
he when he arrived in New York ?
..
What does
he say about the living conditions on the ship ?
..
.
Why is he
crying at the end ?
..
Stop 2 : The baggage room
What did
the immigrants leave there ?
..
Where did
they go then ?
..
Stop 3 : Stairways to the Great Hall
What was the « six second medical
exam » ?
..
.
Click on
medical chart. What did the following chalk marks mean ?
X
CT
.
H
L
Ft
. Pg
Stop 4 :
Medical exam
What
happened to the immigrants whose problem was not
curable ?
Stop 5 : The Great Hall
How long did people stay on Ellis Island ?
Click on audio and listen to Paul Laric. How long did
he and his family stay on Ellis Island ?
.
Why ?
..
Where did
they sleep ?
...
When did
they finally leave Ellis Island ?
.
Stop
6 : Legal inspection.
What did
immigrants have to prove in order to be allowed to enter the
USA ?
.
.
What did
they have to pass after 1917 ?
.
Click on
audio and listen to Lucy Attarian. Why did the immigration officer think she
was not her parentsdaughter ?
.
Stop
7 : Money exchange.
How much
money did each immigrant have to possess in order to be allowed to enter the
States ?
What did
charitable societies give some immigrants before they left Ellis
Island ?
.
Why ?
.
Stop
8 : the journeys end.
What is the
kissing post ?
..
Where did
the new Americans go after leaving Ellis Island ?
When did
Ellis Island close ?
.
Why ?
.
What is the
American Immigrant Wall of Honour ?
.
Where is
it ?
..
Can you
find your name on the wall of Honor ?