Does your family history contain a story of an ancestor’s immigration to the United States at the turn of the last century? If so, it is very likely that your relative entered the US through the Port of New York at the immigration station on Ellis Island.
From 1893 to 1924 the Port of New York accounted for 71% of all immigrant arrivals to the US. This time span was the single largest period of immigration in US history.
Visit www.ellisislandrecords.org to search the 25 million records at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum web site for your ancestor. The online search result includes a passenger record, ship manifest and a ship image. Try the “close match” or “alternate spelling” options if your relative’s name is not found in the archive records. Remember that names might have been misspelled on the records or the spelling of your family name may have changed over the decades.
If your relatives arrived in the US through Ellis Island you can celebrate and preserve their immigration story by sharing their story through the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Submit your family story online by clicking “Tell Us Your Story.” In 800 words or less you can let future generations know when and why your ancestors came to America.
How do you start the family story? For ideas click on “Read Immigration Stories.” Some tales are only a few sentences and others have used the entire 800 words. Don’t worry about the length, just write from your heart.
It was an historic moment for your family when your relatives arrived in the United States. The courage it took to start anew in a foreign country deserves to be commemorated.
Cindy Sue Blair is an internationally syndicated columnist. Her articles appear in publications throughout the US, Canada and Europe. Read her blog and listen to her radio show at www.ExploreTheMidwest.com.
© Cindy Sue Blair 2008