IMMIGRATION AT ELLIS ISLANDBY: ALLIE OGDEN

STEP 1: THE PASSAGE

Escaping poverty and religious persecution Most came from Europe Crossing Atlantic took 1-2 weeks Ships divided by economic class

STEP 2: ARRIVAL

Saw Statue of Liberty Doctors boarded ship looking for diseases 25% on ship entered NY after this checkpoint Other 75% continued through Ellis Island

STEP 3: BAGGAGE ROOM

Identity tags passed out Struggled getting luggage off ship Left luggage in baggage room until

was inspection over

STEP 4: STAIRS TO REGISTRY ROOM

Doctors stood on the stairs They watched for deep breathing,

trouble walking and other problems Children were sent home without

parents

STEP 5: REGISTRY ROOM

Decided if immigrants could enter or need more investigation

Checked for trachoma (contagious eye disease)

Metal rails separated lines Benches added in 1903 Really loud, thousands of people

STEP 6: MEDICAL EXAMS

“6 second physical” Looked for diseases/ illness If a risk, marked with chalk Marking had different meanings X=insanity P= lung problems

STEP 7: LEGAL INSPECTION

29 questions Examples- Where were you born?

What is your job? Are you married? Inspector had ship manifest If answers were different than

manifest, they were detained

STEP 8: DETAINEES

Medical detainees stayed at hospital until better or were sent back home

Legal detainees stayed in the dormitory until they went to the hearing room.

If failed, ship home was free

STEP 9: STAIRS OF SEPARATION

3 aisles Right side- people going west or south Left side- people going north or in NY Middle- detainees Bottom of stairs was currency exchange

and railroad tickets

STEP 10: KISSING POST

Where families/ friends reunited Months or years since seeing each other Finally in America