Seeing Ellis Island was an incredible experience. As an immigrant myself - albeit to Canada and as a baby - It gave me goosebumps walking through the museum and hearing the stories. Later I asked my daughter Rachel what her favorite part of our visit to New York was, and she said "Ellis Island". Interesting eh?
Admission is free, part of a two stop ferry trip to the Statue of Liberty and well worth taking. From watching and listening to video/audio testimonials of Ellis Island immigrants, to viewing their bunk areas, to where and how the medical exams took place, and seeing the great hall once crowded with men women and children, to perusing the ships' mandates with list upon list of immigrants desiring nothing better than to start a new life in 'America'.... a not to be forgotten - emotional journey... back into history.
Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's first federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990.
Today, over 40% of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.
The first immigrant to pass through Ellis Island was Annie Moore, a 15-year-old girl from County Cork, Ireland, on January 1, 1892. Along with her two brothers, she was coming to America to meet her parents, who had moved to New York two years prior. She received a greeting from officials and a $10.00 gold piece.
The last person to pass through Ellis Island was a Norwegian merchant seaman by the name of Arne Peterssen in 1954.
Famous Ellis Island immigrants include: Charles Atlas (Italian Bodybuilder), Irving Berlin (Russian Composer), Frank Capra (Italian Director), Albert Einstein (German Physicist), Al Jolson (Lithuanian Actor), Bela Lugosi (Hungarian Actor), Knute Rockne (Norwegian Athlete), Rudolph Valentino (Italian Actor).
Want to follow my journey?
Trip of a Lifetime - My Bucket List Vacation!
Speechless Sunday - Leaving on a Jet Plane
Speechless Sunday - The Grandest of the Grands
New York City's - Top of the Rock
New York's Coney Island - and the Wonder Wheel!
Coal Fire Oven Baked Pizza at Grimaldi's of New York
A Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge - New York
New York's Iconic Times Square and Theatre District
Speechless Sunday - Wall $ Paper
Name That Photo - Reveal - Times Square New Years Eve Ball
Thoughtful Thursday - Sidewalk Catwalk - New York City
Wordless Wednesday - New York Sunrise
Ground Zero - 911 - Lest We Forget
St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City
New York's Financial District and Ground Zero
The United Nations - And the Lonely Briefcase
Lady Liberty - How Sweet She is!
If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2010 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. Please do not use without permission. Information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive. It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Landmark Realty Chwk. Ltd. 
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