1. Welcome to the Ellis Island Interactive Tour! Get ready to discover what happened at Ellis Island through first-hand accounts. Be sure to read the directions carefully before beginning the tour. Directions By: Alison Busby

2. Directions: 1.Work with a partner to complete the following Interactive Tour – Ellis Island. 2.Answer the questions to the worksheet as you travel through the Interactive Tour. Each student must turn in a completed worksheet at the end of the class period. 3.The tour consists of true accounts of real experiences of immigrants who went through the inspection at Ellis Island. There are excerpts from the primary resource, “Our Immigrants At Ellis Island” by Francis E. Clark. You will discover the process immigrants went through in order to stay in America. Keep and open mind and be ready to discuss your thoughts about the process and first- hand accounts at the end of the tour. Directions Continued

3. Directions Continued: 1.On every page be sure to: Read the text and study the pictures Click on any words or phrases that are underlined. Click on the video and photo icons on the screen and read any text that accompanies the photos. Use the arrows, circles and various country flags to navigate through he tour. You will see tabs that look like these, along with underlined words and items that say “Click…” Any time you move to a different page, you should be clicking an object or underlined word to move to the correct section of the tour. VIDEO CLIP PHOTOS HOME Back Directions Continued

4. Directions Continued: 1.To start the tour, Click on 2.After viewing the Ship to America Page, Return to the HOME Page by clicking 3.To continue the tour, click on #2 Arrival at Ellis Island. 4.Once you reach the “You Have Arrived Page!” Read the information and click on one of the immigrant names in the bottom left corner. 5.Follow the immigrant through their Ellis Island journey by clicking on their home country’s flag. 6.When you reach the end of the immigrant’s journey, return to the HOME page and repeat steps 3-6 until you have completed all of the journeys. 1. Ship To America HOME 2. Arrival at Ellis Island Carmelita Orrificio Home Page

5. 1. Ship To America 2. Arrival at Ellis Island 3. “Six Second Medical Exam” 4. Medical Examination 5. Legal Inspection 6. Railway Office 7. Detention Room 8. End of Journey Directions

6. Not everyone arriving in New York had to go to Ellis Island. Immigrants in first- and second-class were processed aboard their ships soon after docking on the mainland. Onboard exams were shorter than those on the island, since inspectors were more accepting of anyone who could afford the higher fare. VIDEO CLIP HOME

7. New arrivals were taken by ferry to the main building at Ellis Island. Ellis Island opened in 1900, the first immigrant to arrive was a 15-year-old girl from Ireland. Carmelita Orrificio A Slovak Family Gretchen Steiglitz Click on the names below to learn about the immigrant’s journey through Ellis Island Timothy Donalds VIDEO CLIP HOME

8. An Italian Family – Carmelita Orrificio, her mother, and eight children. There are Carmelita, thirteen years old; Antonio, eleven; Giovanni, ten; Piertro, eight; Anita, five; Carlo, three; Theresa, two; and the baby. The mother carries the baby done up in a little brown bundle, Italian style; over her shoulder she slings two brown sacks tied together in the middle; in her other hand she carries a huge satchel; she gives the word and command, and the six children fall into line behind her. Carmelita looks after grandma, and carries a large carpetbag, and grandma carries a big bundle tied up in a bandana handkerchief; Antonio carries a little trunk and a big bundle, and leads Carlo, who carries a little chair that he is very fond of; each of the other carries a bag or a bundle, and little Theresa carries a bird-cage. Carmelita Orrificio Click to follow Carmelita’s journey through Ellis Island HOME

9. A Slovak Family – Mrs. Bulenski and her two daughters, Margit and Erzebet None of them can read or write or speak much English. A Slovak Family Click to follow the Bulenski Family’s journey through Ellis Island HOME

10. A German Girl – Gretchen Stieglitz She has come to America by herself but expects to marry a young man named Hans Leiter. Gretchen Steiglitz Click to follow Gretchen’s journey through Ellis Island HOME

11. An English Boy – Timothy Donalds He is thirteen years old. He came from Manchester, England. Timothy Donalds Click to follow Timothy’s journey through Ellis Island HOME

12. Immigrants had to pass what was known as the “six second medical exam.” Doctors stood at the top of the stairs to the Great Hall and watched to see if anyone had difficulty. If they suspected a person had a disability or problem they were marked with one of seventeen chalk marks and sent for a full physical examination. If they were not marked, they proceeded to the wait in the Great Hall to be processed. Click to see the 17 different chalk marks. HOME

13. Immigrants had to pass what was known as the “six second medical exam.” Doctors stood at the top of the stairs to the Great Hall and watched to see if anyone had difficulty. If they suspected a person had a disability or problem they were marked with one of seventeen chalk marks and sent for a full physical examination. If they were not marked, they proceeded to the wait in the Great Hall to be processed. Click to see the 17 different chalk marks. Click to find out if Carmelita passed the first exam. The Bulenski’s made it through the “Six Second Exam.” Click to find out what happened next. Gretchen passed the “Six Second Exam.” Click to find out what happened next. Timothy passed the “Six Second Exam.” Click to find out what is up next on his journey. HOME

14. Carmelita and her family all easily passes the first doctor Click to follow Carmelita to the next inspection point. HOME

15. List of medical “Chalk Marks” and what each mark meant. Other Chalk-Marks: F.I. – Further Investigation S.I. – Special Inquiry T.D. – Temporarily Detained E – Excluded D – Deported O.K. – All Rights Back

16. A complete medical exam was required for every immigrant. Doctors were looking for people with contagious diseases or conditions that would make them unable to work. If the condition was curable, they were sent to the island’s hospital. If it could not be cured, they were sent back to their home country. PHOTOS Click to find out if Carmelita passed the Medical Exam. Click to find out if the Bulenski’s passed the Medical Exam. Timothy passed the Medical Exam. Click to follow him to the Great Hall. Gretchen passed the Medical Exam. Click to follow her to the Great Hall. HOME

17. The second one examines the baby’s eyes very carefully, but at last passes them all on. Click to follow Carmelita to the next inspection point. HOME

18. One child has some trouble with her eyes and is marked “F.I.”; the other is lame, and is also marked “F.I.” Click to follow the Bulenski’s to the next inspection point. HOME

19. Ellis Island had 15 medical buildings located across the ferry dock from the main building, and included hospital wards, operating rooms, an X-ray plant, and even a morgue. Next Photo Back

20. Immigrants were inspected for trachoma, a highly contagious disease that caused blindness. Using a tool or fingers, doctors would pinch a person’s eyelid, turn it over, and look for any signs of the disease. If an immigrant had trachoma they were sent back to their home land. Next Photo Back

21. If an immigrant was marked with a chalk “X” they had to go through a mental exam to test their intelligence. The exams often consisted of wooden puzzles of the human face. If a person did not pass the exam they would be sent back to their home country. Next Photo Back

22. Doctors only had minutes to inspect immigrants for over 60 illnesses. Women doctors began inspecting in 1914, due to complaints by female immigrants who did not feel comfortable with male doctors. Back

23. The Great Hall at Ellis Island was a large waiting room. Immigrants waited in the Great Hall for their interviews after completing the medical exams. PHOTOS The Bulenski’s were called for their interview. Click to find out what happened Gretchen was called for her interview. Click to find out what happened Timothy was called for his interview. Click to find out what happened HOME

24. The Great Hall at Ellis Island was a large waiting room. Immigrants waited in the Great Hall for their interviews after completing the medical exams. Carmelita and her family waited in the Great Hall until they were called for their interview. Carmelita and her family were called for their interview. Click to move on to the Legal Inspection. HOME

25. The Great Hall is 200 feet long and 100 feet wide — almost the size of two baseball fields. In 1918, it was used as an enormous hospital ward for American soldiers returning from the first World War. Next Photo Back

26. Great Hall Back

27. After passing medical exams, immigrants had to prove they could legally come into America. They had to answer a series of questions about where they are from and where they expect to live and work in the U.S. If their answers were satisfactory, and if they agreed with those on the paper before him, they are marked “O.K.” for wherever they are going. If any immigrants are not able to give satisfactory answers to the questions they are marked “F.I.” (Further Investigation), or “S.I.” (Special Inquiry), and were sent to the detention-room. Inspectors rejected any immigrant with a criminal record. By 1921, immigrants had to pass a literacy test and show a passport and visa. PHOTOS The immigrants pass up to the table of the inspector, who asks them a series of questions. He has before him the papers on which are the answers they have already given to the same questions at the place where they embarked. If their answers are satisfactory, and if they agree with those on the paper before him, they are marked “O.K.” for wherever they are going. If any immigrants are not able to give satisfactory answers to the questions they are marked “F.I.” (Further Investigation), or “S.I.” (Special Inquiry), and are sent to the detention-room. Click to find out what marking Carmelita and her family received. Click to find out more about the Bulenski’s story. Click to learn what happened to Gretchen during the Legal Inspection. Click to learn what happened to Timothy during the Legal Inspection. HOME

28. Click to follow Carmelita to the Detention Room. The inspector asks the questions to Carmelita because she is the only one who can speak English. Here are her responses: “The mother is forty-two years old, and the grandmother sixty-seven; Carmelita also tells the ages of all the children. Her name is Carmelita Orrificio, the same as mother’s and grandmother’s. Her business is just taking care of grandmother and the children; they come from Naples; father paid their passage-money, of course. “Ever in this country before?” “Why, how could we be till father sent the money?” They are going to Boston. Have they a ticket? Carmelita turns to mother, who drops the baby and bags, and has a great time hunting for it, but at last produces it. How much money? She turns to mother, and says “Quanti centismis?” Mother hunts in all her pockets, and finally says “Cinquanta centesimi,” Which Carmelita translates into “ten cents”; but father is coming. He will meet them. He is a fruit-merchant. Father will surely meet them.” The inspector looked cross when he found that mother only has a little money, but father will have some. The man told Carmelita that if her father does not come, they must all go back to Italy. The Orrifico family is marked “T.D.” and sent to the detention room to wait for their father to come with more money. HOME

29. “They come from northern Hungary. The mother has about six dollars in money but she expects her husband to meet her. He is a farmer somewhere in Pennsylvania, but she does not know just where. They can none of them read or write; the father paid for their tickets. They are sent to the detention-room to wait for news from him.” Click to follow the Bulenski’s to the Detention Room. HOME

30. “She answers all but the money question satisfactorily. Her home was in Dresden. She expects to live in New York State. She has only five dollars, but has come over to be married, and expects the young man to meet her. Her love does not yet appear, and she is marked “T.D.” and sent to the detention-room.” Will Hans come to marry her? Click to find out. HOME

31. “He is thirteen years old, and has come over to live with his uncle, who is in San Antonio, Tex. He had two hundred dollars, but it was stolen from him in the steerage while he was seasick. He has only $1.37 left, but is sure his uncle will send for him. He also is marked “T.D.” and sent to the detention-room. Click to follow Timothy to the Detention Room HOME

32. Inspectors spoke an average of three languages to help those immigrants who did not speak English. There were also interpreters who spoke over six languages. Next PhotoBack

33. Literacy Card in Hebrew Legal Inspection Back

34. In the railway and refreshment room, immigrants could buy train tickets, send telegrams to their friends, buy refreshments, and get their money exchanged. A law passed in 1909 required each immigrant to have at least 20 dollars before they were allowed to enter America. Click to follow Timothy to his last stop on Ellis Island. Using the money his uncle sent, Timothy buys his railroad ticket San Antonio, Texas. HOME

35. In the railway and refreshment room, immigrants could buy train tickets, send telegrams to their friends, buy refreshments, and get their money exchanged. A law passed in 1909 required each immigrant to have at least 20 dollars before they were allowed to enter America. HOME

36. Immigrants sent to the detention room: Women and children waiting for a relative or money. Immigrants waiting for a hearing in front of the board of special inquiry. Families waiting for a sick relative to be released from the Ellis Island Hospital. Immigrants marked “F.I.” (Further Investigation). During the peak years of immigration, detention on Ellis Island ran as high as 20% for all immigrants inspected. Their stay could last days or even weeks. Click to learn about Carmelita’s experience in the Detention Room. Click to find out what will happen to the Bulenski’s Click to find out what happened to Gretchen. Click to find out if Timothy’s Uncle will send for him HOME

37. In the detention room missionaries talked with the immigrants waiting to give them tracts and do anything they could to help them make their troubles plain to the inspectors. The missionary questions Carmelita about her story. “Our home was in Naples in the south of Italy. It is so beautiful there! And the sun shines all day long and every day, and we often sing our dear song, ‘La bella Napoli.’ We loved our dear sunny Italy so much! But we were very poor, father hear there is good times in America and plenty money; so one day he say good-by to us all and come over here. He not find plenty money, and sometimes he very poor, and it was long wait; but by and by he find a good work and begin to save money to bring us all over.” “Every week my mother gotta letter, and every time it tell how much money father saved. Father can’t write himself, but he know a boy that can; and mother, she get a lady that she work for to read it to her. We not have so many schools in Italy, and when the father and mother were little they not have much chance; but my Italy now is do like other countries and make more schools, and many children can go in the school, but not all. I learn a little, and the American lady that mother wash for, she teacha me the English. Father, he write that, when we come to America, we all shall go in the school; so we all want to make hurry to come to this land.” “At last, in a letter came money to but the ticket for all of us, mother and grandmother and all the children. Mother think it much work to get us all ready, but we all helped; and, after all, there was not much to get ready, for we did not own many things; and so at last we all were packed up, and every one had something to carry except baby.” “Will father come soon? It is long to wait. A man is telling me that, if father not come, we must all go back to Italy; but he will certainly come, won’t he? You think he come, don’t you?” After a time the officer comes to the doorway and calls in a loud voice, “Carmelita Orrificio.” They go out to meet the father. As they pass through the gateway, the officer counts them one by one, looking occasionally at his paper. Finding only six children, he stops them. “There should be seven besides the baby,” he says, referring to his paper. Again he counts, and the mother counts in Italian, calling out their names one by one. There surely is one missing; Giovanni is not there. Little Carmelita runs back, and finally returns, dragging along the missing boy with a chair in his hand; he has stopped to look at something that interested him. Father meets them at the gate, and they all embrace him and go joyfully away. Will Carmelita’s father come? Click to find out. HOME

38. After a time the officer comes to the doorway and calls in a loud voice, “Carmelita Orrificio.” They go out to meet the father. As they pass through the gateway, the officer counts them one by one, looking occasionally at his paper. Finding only six children, he stops them. “There should be seven besides the baby,” he says, referring to his paper. Again he counts, and the mother counts in Italian, calling out their names one by one. There surely is one missing; Giovanni is not there. Little Carmelita runs back, and finally returns, dragging along the missing boy with a chair in his hand; he has stopped to look at something that interested him. Father meets them at the gate, and they all embrace him and go joyfully away. Click to learn about the last stop at Ellis Island. HOME

39. Later she tells her story to the missionary, and a telegram is sent to Hans Leiter.telegram “Gretchen Stieglitz, the German girl, is called for, and is told that she may go if she is willing to be married now and here to Hans Leiter, who has come for her. She joyfully agrees, and she is taken to the other room, where a minister is in readiness to marry any couples that need his services, since the government will not allow a young unmarried girl to go off alone and friendless. They must know that she is married to the young man who has come for her.” Click here to learn about Gretchen’s last stop at Ellis Island HOME

40. A missionary tries to help the Bulenski family and listens to their story. “Mrs. Bulenski and her children, the Slovak family, look up eagerly every time the door opens, and the missionary goes out to inquire where telegrams have been sent, and whether any word has come from the father; she tries to comfort the family and cheer them up; but the mother is in tears, and at last an officer comes for them, saying that the father has not arrived, and they must be deported. They go off in tears and protesting, but go they must.” HOME

41. Timothy Donalds Later a telegram comes from his uncle, and he is marked “O.K.” and sent to the railway station.telegram Click to follow Timothy to the Railway Office. HOME

42. Just beyond the Railway Office was the exit from Ellis Island. Staff members referred to this spot as the kissing post because of all the emotional reunions that were witnessed there. Two thirds of new Americans boarded a ferry to New Jersey, where they began the next leg of their journey. The remaining third took the ferryboat to Manhattan to begin their new life in New York City. HOME

43. The first reliable electronic telegraph machines were built in the 1830s when an American named Samuel Morse developed a telegraph system designed to use a code of long and short pulses of electric current representing different letters. The code became known as Morse code. To send a message, an operator pressed a switch, sending a signal, which sent an electric current along a wire to the receiving machine. Click here to view a chart for Morse Code. HOME Back

44. The first reliable electronic telegraph machines were built in the 1830s when an American named Samuel Morse developed a telegraph system designed to use a code of long and short pulses of electric current representing different letters. The code became known as Morse code. To send a message, an operator pressed a switch, sending a signal, which sent an electric current along a wire to the receiving machine. Click here to view a chart for Morse Code. HOME Back

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