Portraits of immigration from the Ellis Island archive

Emil Lendof

featured

Aug 4, 2017

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Under construction for a decade, the Ellis Island immigration station opened in New York harbor in 1900, just in time for the huge upswing in immigration to the United States that took place in the years leading up to World War I. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A ferry boat marked by the Department of Commerce and Labor, and US Immigration Service arriving at Ellis Island in New York City in the early 1900s. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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View of Ellis Island lawn, with New York skyline in distance.. ca. 1903

View of Ellis Island lawn, with the New York skyline in the distance. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Newly arrived immigrants stand in line at teller windows to exchange money for their travels into the US. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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The Immigration Station at Ellis Island with a ferry docked at the pier. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Immigrants undergoing medical examination.

Immigrants underwent medical examinations upon arrival. In 1907, the peak year of immigration, 3,000 to 5,000 newcomers a day were examined at Ellis Island as they sought permanent entry to the country. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Passed and waiting to be taken off Ellis Island.

Immigrants wait to be taken off Ellis Island. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Immigrants were held at Ellis Island while waiting for what they needed to begin their journey into the US. The pens at Ellis Island’s main hall were filled with the newly arrived immigrants after passing their first inspections. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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The dining hall on Ellis Island. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A group photograph of Hungarian gypsies who were deported. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Immigrants seated on the long benches of the main hall of the Ellis Island Immigration Station. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A group photograph of newly arrived immigrants in native costumes, turbans and fezzes. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Immigrants are hosted and served a free meal upon arriving at Ellis Island. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A newly arrived Hindoo boy poses. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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An Algerian man Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A German stowaway Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A Romanian piper Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A Ruthenian woman Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A Slovakian woman and her children Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A Guadeloupean woman Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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A girl from the Kochersberg region near Strasbourg, Alsace. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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Dutch siblings from the Island of Marken holding religious tracts. Courtesy of The New York Public Library

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