1. History of Ellis Island Social Studies Grade 6

2. Ellis Island Located in the New York Harbor.

3. Ellis Island

4.  27.5 Acre site off the tip of Manhattan Island, New York.  Estimated that half of all Americans can trace their family heritage to a family member who came through the Port of New York at Ellis Island.  Between 1880 and 1930 Over 27 Million came to the United States. Over 27 Million came to the United States. Estimated that approximately 20 million came through Ellis Island. Estimated that approximately 20 million came through Ellis Island.

5. Ellis Island  After 1892 Almost all immigrants came through Ellis Island. Almost all immigrants came through Ellis Island. Originally equipped to handle 5,000 immigrants each day. Originally equipped to handle 5,000 immigrants each day. Later expanded to handle 16,000 immigrants each day. Later expanded to handle 16,000 immigrants each day.

6. Ellis Island  Families: Men typically came alone and saved their money to send for their families or to return home after they made and saved money. Men typically came alone and saved their money to send for their families or to return home after they made and saved money. All who arrived were subject to a health inspection. All who arrived were subject to a health inspection. Passed: allowed to stayPassed: allowed to stay Failed: sent back homeFailed: sent back home Travel to America became more affordable because of the Steam Engine Vessels. Voyages were safer, faster, and cheaper. Travel to America became more affordable because of the Steam Engine Vessels. Voyages were safer, faster, and cheaper.

7. Ellis Island Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882  Restricted immigration to America from China. Men who were already here could not bring over their families. Men who were already here could not bring over their families.  1907 Gentlemen’s Agreement with Japan Extended hostility toward Asian workers/families. Extended hostility toward Asian workers/families. Beginning of Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay. Beginning of Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay. As close as they would get.As close as they would get.

8. Ellis Island  Decline of Immigration 1914 (Start of World War I) 1914 (Start of World War I) American attitudes changed about immigration.American attitudes changed about immigration. A sense of nationalism and suspicion of foreigners began to rise and loyalties were questioned.A sense of nationalism and suspicion of foreigners began to rise and loyalties were questioned. 1920’s 1920’s Immigration laws passed that limited the flow of immigrants into America.Immigration laws passed that limited the flow of immigrants into America.

9. Ellis Island-History  Known as Oyster Island during the Dutch & English colonial periods.  Samuel Ellis was the island’s private owner in the 1770’s.  Had many names: Kioshk, Oyster, Dyre, Bucking, and Anderson’s Island. Developed from a sandy area into a hanging sight for pirates, harbor fort, ammunition and ordinance depot for Fort Gibson, and finally, immigration station. Developed from a sandy area into a hanging sight for pirates, harbor fort, ammunition and ordinance depot for Fort Gibson, and finally, immigration station.

10.  1794-1890 Important military role for the United States. Important military role for the United States. Purchased from New York state by the federal government in 1808. Purchased from New York state by the federal government in 1808. Ellis Island-History

11. Ellis Island-History 3  1892-1954 Over 12 million using Ellis Island Over 12 million using Ellis Island  Originally built on 3.3 acres of land and later expanded to 27.5 acres using landfill from ship ballast and excess earth from the construction of the New York City Subway system.  Designated first Federal immigration station by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890.

12. Ellis Island-History 3  Prior to 1890, immigration was regulated by individual states vs. the federal government.  Original Immigration Site in New York? Castle Garden (1855-1890) Castle Garden (1855-1890) Immigrants came from: England, Ireland, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. Immigrants came from: England, Ireland, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. Castle Garden was not equipped to handle the growing number of immigrants coming to America due to deplorable conditions in Europe. Castle Garden was not equipped to handle the growing number of immigrants coming to America due to deplorable conditions in Europe.

13. Ellis Island

14. Ellis Island-History 4  Ellis Island opened January 1, 1892  First Person: Annie Morre, age 15 from Ireland Annie Morre, age 15 from Ireland Came from Queenstown, IrelandCame from Queenstown, Ireland Departed: December 20, 1891Departed: December 20, 1891

15. Ellis Island-History 4  DISASTER STRIKES ELLIS ISLAND JUNE 14, 1897 a fire burns Ellis Island to the ground. JUNE 14, 1897 a fire burns Ellis Island to the ground. All immigration records lostAll immigration records lost  Rebirth: Ellis Island was rebuilt, now fireproof, and reopened its doors December 17, 1900. 2,251 Immigrants cam through Ellis Island that day... 2,251 Immigrants cam through Ellis Island that day...

16. Ellis Island Treatment by Class…  "Immigrants sailed to America in hopes of carving out new destinies for themselves. Most were fleeing religious persecution, political oppression and economic hardships. Thousands of people arrived daily in New York Harbor on steamships from mostly Eastern and Southern Europe. The first and second class passengers were allowed to pass inspection aboard ship and go directly ashore. Only steerage passengers had to take the ferry to Ellis Island for inspection." …unknown

17. Ellis Island-History Treatment by Class…  First and Second Class: Cursory inspection (passing inspection) Cursory inspection (passing inspection) Theory: if they could afford the more expensive ticket, they were less likely to become a burden to the American society (medical or legal). Theory: if they could afford the more expensive ticket, they were less likely to become a burden to the American society (medical or legal). Passengers who failed the inspection, went through to Ellis Island for further inspection. Passengers who failed the inspection, went through to Ellis Island for further inspection.

18. Ellis Island-History Treatment by Class…  Third Class… (Steerage passengers) Traveled with few amenities. Traveled with few amenities. Upon arrival, they were transported by ferry or barge to Ellis Island where they underwent medical and legal inspection. Upon arrival, they were transported by ferry or barge to Ellis Island where they underwent medical and legal inspection.  Inspection: 3 to 5 hours in length if they 3 to 5 hours in length if they were in reasonably good health.

19. Ellis Island Examination Room

21. Ellis Island-History 6 Treatment by Class…  Medical Inspection: Doctors inspected all third class people for any ailments. Doctors inspected all third class people for any ailments. Took place in the Registry Took place in the Registry Room (Great Hall) Room (Great Hall) Typically passed their Typically passed their inspection as long as the doctors could find no contagious diseases.  Legal Inspection: Prior to leaving: Noted name Prior to leaving: Noted name and questionnaire.

22. EXAMPLE OF IMMIGRANT RECORDS….

23. Ellis Island-History Departments  Departments responsible for inspections were … United States Public Health Service United States Public Health Service Bureau of Immigration (Immigration and Naturalization Service {a.k.a. INS} ) Bureau of Immigration (Immigration and Naturalization Service {a.k.a. INS} )

24. Ellis Island  Only 2 % were turned away. Reasons: Reasons: Doctors diagnosed a contagious disease.Doctors diagnosed a contagious disease. Legal ramifications: if they thought the person would become a public charge or an illegal laborer.Legal ramifications: if they thought the person would become a public charge or an illegal laborer.  1907: Many thought immigration had slowed down. 1907 had the largest number of immigrants pass through Ellis Island. 1.25 million immigrants were processed. 1.25 million immigrants were processed.

25. Ellis Island Closes  November 1954 Last Immigrant: Arne Peterssen. Last Immigrant: Arne Peterssen.  1965 President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. President Lyndon Johnson declared Ellis Island part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Opened to the public: 1976-1984 Opened to the public: 1976-1984 1984: Restoration of Ellis Island ($160 Million) 1984: Restoration of Ellis Island ($160 Million) Re-opened: September 10, 1990 Re-opened: September 10, 1990 Average of 2 million visitors per year.Average of 2 million visitors per year.

26. Works Consulted  http://ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island _history.asp   http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/anni e_moore.asp http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/anni e_moore.asp   http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_ island_famous_arrivals.asp http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_ island_famous_arrivals.asp