Prior to the establishment of Ellis Island in New York harbor as the federal immigration station, immigrants to America were processed at Castle Garden in downtown Manhattan. Castle Garden operated as a point of entry from 1855 until April 1890. On January 2, 1892, Ellis Island opened as the Federal U.S. Immigration Station. Almost one fourth of all Americans can trace their ancestry by way of Ellis Island! By the time Ellis Island closed its doors in 1954, roughly 20,000,000 immigrants had passed through its gates. For some it was the realization of a dream, for others the beginning of a new struggle, and still for others, a journey that ended with disappointment and deportation.

Source: http://schools.nycenet.edu/offices/teachlearn/Immigration_4_final.pdf

What passengers ate at Ellis Island

Oral Histories