The Journey to America: 25 Powerful Photos That Capture the Hope of Ellis Island Immigrants
Between 1892 and 1924, more than 12 million immigrants (mostly from Europe) bid farewell to their hometowns in search of better opportunities in the land of the free. Traveling with little more than a suitcase and a prayer, they arrived at Ellis Island in New York Harbor in search of the American Dream. For some, it marked the beginning of a new life; for others, it was a grueling test of endurance and faith. These 25 historic photos capture the weary faces, clothes, and quiet determination of the first wave of newcomers to arrive in the U.S.
1. An Italian Child Arriving at Ellis Island With His Family, Early 1900s
2. An Immigrant Family Takes in Their New Home’s Skyline, 1925
3. A Family From Sicily, Italy, Gathers Their Belongings After Clearing Inspection at Ellis Island, Early 1900s
4. An Immigrant Family Gazes at the Statue of Liberty in the Distance as They Arrive at Their New Home, Circa 1930
5. ‘My Great-Grandmother’s Immigration Card From Ellis Island, 1933’
6. Immigrants Catch Their First Glimpse of the Statue of Liberty as Their Ship Enters New York Harbor, Circa 1900
7. An Italian Woman Gets Her Picture Taken After Arriving at Ellis Island, 1906
8. A Russian Immigrant and Her 11-Month-Old Baby Who Weighed a Whopping 55 Pounds, 1908
9. An Italian Immigrant From Albania Photographed By Lewis Wickes Hines, 1905
10. ‘Scottish Immigrant Boys in Traditional Kilts and Winged Hats at Ellis Island, 1910’
11. Romanian Immigrants Waiting for Inspection at Ellis Island, 1905
12. An Immigrant Family Stands in Order of Height at Ellis Island, 1904
13. ‘My Great-Great-Great Grandmother, the Day She Arrived at Ellis Island, 1920’
14. A Tatted German Immigrant Gets His Picture Taken After Arriving at Ellis Island, Early 1900s
15. Colorized Image of ‘3 Women From Guadeloupe at the Ellis Island Immigration Station, 1911’
16. ‘My Grandparents at Ellis Island About To Become Americans, 1936’
17. A Newly-Arrived Immigrant Gets Her Hair Checked for Lice at Ellis Island, Early 1900s
18. Two Dutch Children Photographed By Augustus Sherman, 1890s
19. ‘Immigrants Undergoing Medical Examination at Ellis Island, 1900s’
20. ‘Jewish Immigrant at Ellis Island in New York, 1905’
21. An Italian Immigrant Mother Holds Her Child While Awaiting Inspection, 1905
22. ‘Portrait of a Ruthenian Woman at the Ellis Island Immigration Station, 1906’
23. A Romanian Shepherd Photographed Upon Arrival at Ellis Island, Late 1800s
24. Ship of ‘1,000 Marriageable Girls’ From Europe Arrives in Ellis Island, 1907
25. ‘A Serbian Romany Family Emigrating to the United States [Pictured] at Ellis Island, 1906’
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