The United States of America is now and has always been a melting pot of people from other parts of the world. Regardless of race, creed, or ethnic origin, America's shores have offered a haven and an opportunity for a better life to millions of newcomers. Ellis Island is the measuring cup that was most often used to add new human ingredients to the "American stew." The masses arrived daily at Ellis Island from their see-borne journey to be recorded and processed.

Originally a small rock outcropping in the middle of New York harbor, ballast stones from foreign ships and the dirt removed during construction of the New York subway enlarged the island to a land mass large enough to establish an immigrant processing facility. The Immigration and Naturalization Service was chartered to record the immigration of individuals into the United States. Ellis Island was station #3 for this effort. Opened in 1892, Ellis Island welcomed (and sometimes turned away) newcomers for more than fifty years. Millions of Americans today can trace their lineage to ancestors who were processed in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.

You will find many types of records useful as you perform research to link your family with Ellis Island: immigration and naturalization records, ship manifests and passenger lists, and even some church records. Family Bibles, old letters, and stories passed down through the generations can also provide clues to the time and place of immigration. Talk to relatives to try to establish the original home village or hamlet where your ancestors lived before they came to America. This information will help determine the probable port of departure and narrow the number of ships on which they may have crossed the Atlantic.

A good starting place to find the country of origin for foreign-born ancestors is U.S. Census information. Ages and family sizes may reveal more information about when the family immigrated. Knowing an ancestor's occupation may also prove helpful because many immigrants were sponsored by mining companies, railroads, etc. Voting and tax rolls and even land deed information may provide important clues for your research. Also, search old newspapers, particularly the obituaries, for relevant clues to your research.

Often, a significant event in the immigrants' homeland forced them to seek new lives in America. War, famine, political unrest, persecution, and drought are possible factors. A short study of the history of the country of origin is a worthwhile way to learn about such events. In some cases, immigrant aid societies and other organized groups may have generated records that can be helpful. A visit to your local library can also start you on the fascinating journey back to Ellis Island.

Ellis Island has a small library containing limited records that focus primarily on Ellis Island and Liberty Island history, with minor emphasis on immigration in general, ethnic groups, and genealogical reference material, excluding passenger lists. The library has a collection of rare books, unpublished manuscripts, periodicals, films and video, and many photographs. The library is open only by appointment and special arrangement. For information, call Ellis Island librarian Barry Moreno at (212) 363-6307.

The National Archives, Washington, D.C., and its regional branches hold the records that were created and make them available for research whenever possible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Family History Library and its associated Family History Centers, which are located throughout the United States, are also excellent sources of information. An estimated 12 million newcomers were processed at Ellis Island between January 1892, and November 1954. All available Ellis Island passenger lists for this period are accessible on microfilm at both the National Archives and the Family History Library.

Passenger lists often represent exciting discoveries in family history research, but, like many other avenues of pursuit, they can present obstacles. Most immigration/emigration sources are incomplete for the purposes of genealogical research. These records were originally created to meet government requirements, and no one thought about their potential value for family history research. Handwriting was often sloppy, and entries concerning details such as an immigrant's place of origin were often vague and brief. Many records are extracts of original handwritten documents that are difficult, if not impossible, to read. Often children emigrating with their parents were not listed. Adults often came to America alone to make a life for the family and later sent for them to join him or her. Indexes are available for only a portion of the existing immigration/emigration records, which makes the search for a particular ancestor time-consuming. Also, passenger lists are not always available; they may have been lost or destroyed by fire or neglect.

Passenger lists were created at different stages in a ship's movement, depending on circumstances such as government policies, the management of the shipping company, the wishes of the captain, and many other factors. A list may have been created at the port of embarkation, at ports of call along the route, at the port of arrival, as a portion of the ship's manifest, or as notations of passengers in the ship's log. In addition, if the ship was quarantined for disease, a list may have been attached to medical reports.

The National Park Service has the mission to restore the historic site at Ellis Island and to tell the story of the history of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Since Ellis Island is part of the National Park Service, it is maintained as a historical site with a magnificent museum containing priceless memories and mementos from the past. Through carefully selected photographs, paintings, and a vast array of memorabilia, Ellis Island has helped capture the passions and pains associated with coming to America. It adds depth to the written records, and a better understanding of the people and events which helped define the records that were made.

As part of the Ellis Island restoration effort, more than 1,000 immigrants and workers from Ellis Island have been interviewed as part of an oral history of Ellis Island memories. Project officials would like to talk to any living former immigrants who were processed through Ellis Island and anyone who worked on the island, including employees of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Public Health Service, the FBI, or anyone who did social charity work. If you know of someone who could be included in this priceless collection of oral memories, contact Barry Moreno at Ellis Island (212) 363-6307.

A monumental effort is underway to index ships' passenger lists and to combine the indexes in a computer database that offers interactive access. This capability will allow visitors to find an ancestor in the index, display the appropriate passenger list from the database, and print a copy of the passenger list page on which the ancestor's name appears.

The Ellis Island Research Facility is nearing completion, but has been stalled due to insufficient funding. A $6 million funding allocation would transform this dream into a reality. The National Park Service and the Ellis Island Restoration Commission needs your help to make this dream real. You can help by contacting your congressional representative; private businesses can help by offering financial support.

What better souvenir of a visit to New York City than a copy of the passenger list showing when and how your ancestor came to America? The listing represents a moment, frozen in time, when someone passed from the old world to the newÖ full of dreams and hope for the future.

For more information the Ellis Island Research Facility contact:
Executive Direction Brian G. Anderson
Ellis Island Restoration Commission c/o Anderson Consulting
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Or call (212) 708-8200

This 625.5-foot-long, double-sided, semicircular wall contains the names of more than 420,000 individuals and families whose descendants have honored them by donating to the Ellis Island restoration project.

The name of your immigrant ancestor, whether or not he or she came through Ellis Island, is eligible to be placed on the Wall of Honor. A minimum of $100 is required for each name listed. An official certificate will be issued, naming the immigrant and the country of origin. Special recognition can be arranged for donations of $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000. These contributions are tax-deductible.

For more information on The American Immigrant Wall of Honor, write to:
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box ELLIS
New York, NY 10163
or call (212) 883-1986