ellis island
Not everyone arriving in New York
had to go to Ellis Island. Immigrants in
first- and second-class were processed aboard their ships soon after docking on
the mainland. Onboard exams were shorter than those on the island, since
inspectors were more accepting of anyone
who could afford the higher fare.
Most of the immigrants who passed through Ellis
Island were poor. They crammed by the thousands aboard steamships
that took weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Most spent all the money they had just to ride in third class - called
steerage.
After 1907, children under 16 had to be accompanied by their parents or else
they would be sent
back.
Immigrants sailed to America in hopes of carving out new
destinies for themselves. Most were fleeing religious persecution, political
oppression and economic hardship. Thousands of people arrived daily in New York Harbor
on steamships from mostly eastern and southern Europe.
The first- and second-class passengers were allowed to pass inspection aboard
ship and go directly ashore. Only steerage passengers had to take the ferry to Ellis Island for inspection.
