Ellis Island was not the only late eighteenth and nineteenth century port of entry into the U.S., but it is easily America’s most famous. Ellis Island became the immigrant receiving station for New York in 1892. Due to a fire destroying the main building, operations were moved in 1897, but returned to a new building in 1900. For another 54 years Ellis Island continued to operate, seeing over 12 million people pass through its doors.
Genealogy At A Glance: Ellis Island Research, written by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, examines the history and the research fundamentals genealogist need to seek their ancestors U.S. entry through this famous island port. Like all the Genealogy At A Glance guide sheets, Ellis Island Research is a four-page, full-color limited guide meant to be easily stored and sized to take with you when conducting related research.
Sharon DeBartolo Carmack is a certified genealogy expert, who also wrote Genealogy At A Glance: Immigration Research . Carmack is also the author of two books, Carmack’s Guide To Copyright & Contracts and You Can Write Your Family History, and she has written many articles, some of which can be found in Heritage Quest Magazine on CD.
Like each At A Glance, the top of the first page provides Contents and Quick Facts and Important Dates. The Contents of this sheet include:
Ellis Island Background
- The Island
- Immigration Center
Ellis Island Passenger Lists
- Passenger Interviews
The Name Change Myth
The Two Main Databases
- The Ellis Island Database
- New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, at Ancestry.com
- When You Can’t Find Your Ancestor
Microfilmed Indexes and Lists
The End of the List
- Record of Detained Aliens
- Board of Special Inquiry
Other Online Sources
The Ellis Island Database section includes two subsections: Some Problems and Solutions. Most sections also include a “for further reference” list of additional research sources.
Find the help you need, and carry it with you, with your own copy of Genealogy At A Glance: Ellis Island Research available at Family Roots Publishing; Item #: GPC882, Price: $8.77