Ellis Island in the New York Harbor was the main point of entry for millions of immigrants from 1892-1954. During its peak years of operation at the start of the 1900s, around four thousand new Americans entered each day. Indeed, so many people came in that nearly 1/3 of all existing Americans can trace their heritage back to a single individual who entered through Ellis Island, which is really amazing when you think about it!
A man named Augustus Francis Sherman was a registry clerk, but also an amateur photographer. While many of the arrivals were whisked through without much fanfare, some of the immigrants were temporarily held at the station while awaiting escorts or more information. Thankfully Mr. Sherman convinced a few of them to pose for these stunning portraits. Here are a few of our favorites...
A young girl from Alsace-Lorraine.
A Laplander in traditional dress
Scottish Boys showing pride in their nation's dress.
Ruthenian Woman.
Dutch Children.
Three women from Guadeloupe.
Norwegian Woman.
A proud Bavarian man.
A Danish man.
Girl from Rättvik, province of Dalarna, Sweden
A German stowaway.
A Dutch Woman.
Laplander children, possibly from Sweden
Slovakian Women.
An Italian Woman
Rev. Joseph Vasilon, Greek-Orthodox priest.
Three Dutch Women.
Guadeloupean woman
Russian Cossacks.
Romanian Piper
Algerian Man
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