Face of America: The Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Older Comments on Face of America: The Ellis Island Immigration Museum

• Posted 08/31/10 by Dennis E Lohr
  On 09/04/09 Steven A. Williams posted, "Can’t wait to visit to find my family...most came during the potato famine." The potato famine was during the 1840s and 1850s, over 50 years before Ellis Island opened its doors. There are many common misconceptions about Ellis Island, among them the belief that if your ancestors arrived in NYC, then they came through Ellis Island. Another is that of our ancestors gazing up at the Statue of Liberty upon entering the harbor, when the statue was only erected 5 years prior to Ellis Island opening. Between the period of 1855-1892 when Ellis Island first opened, immigrants were processed at Castle Garden. This is the round fort at Battery Park erected during the War of 1812. Also known as Castle Clinton, it is currently the location where you =purchase your tickets to take the Ellis Island boat ride and tour. I often wonder how many people rush out of Castle Garden, never realizing their ancestors first set foot on US soil there and not at Ellis Island. Best of luck in your search!
• Posted 09/10/09 by Sharon Gaglione
  I support Ellis Island whenever I can in buying or just a small donation that I can afford. My grandfather came here through there with his 3 brothers. Each traveled from Ellis Island to West Virginia to the coal mines. Then they were seperated through life forever. With the help of Ellis Island records they have led me through time to the last missing brothers family the now generation of the links of family that were lost. We are forever linked again. It took over 20 years to finally find the last of the links and all the little hints to locate the truth of who grandfather and his family were. Thank you Ellis Island for keeping the records of those forgotten so long ago. Now each of those people live on through us and the new generations to come. My grandfather was proud to be an American and showed it throughout his lifetime. I know he is smiling from the heavens along with my mother for she started me on the journey to find his roots. May all those who are gone today that came through Ellis Island rest in Peace. God bless them all.
• Posted 09/08/09 by sprague terry
  I have yet to get to visit ellis Island but i will get there., my great grand mother entered the country there. The hard part in finding her is that she changed her name and there is no record of what her name was., one reason i was told even before entering the country her name had already changed due to she was in line to royality and to escape death came to this country.,her husband also arrived her threw ellis island. i was fourtuniate to know and spend some time with my g=great ma. and hope to one day find some info on her and my grand father. I found your movie clip wonderful and informative and will seek out any clip or access threw the cp to appreciate all that your staff and extended familys to this day have contributed to the foundation of our nation God Bless America. terry
• Posted 09/05/09 by Steven A. Williams
  Can't wait to visit to find my family from Ireland,England and Spain most came during the potato famine. It would be nice to find the Smileys and others that came and see who they married. Thankyou Steven A. Williams
• Posted 08/29/09 by charles twyford
  i enjoyed your program every much, i have used your site many times for the twyford, porters, and weingarts thank you again