Ellis Island - Queen Mary LBUSD Education

Most of the immigrants who came to America through Ellis Island, between the years 1892-1954 were from eastern and southern Europe. In many cases, they came to escape the poverty and religious intolerance that existed in small towns in countries such as Italy, Poland, and Russia.
They began their journey to America on foot, horseback, or train. Many trekked hundreds of miles across Europe to get to a seaport. When they arrived at the coast, they boarded a steamship.
The trip across the Atlantic Ocean lasted one to two weeks. The ships divided passengers by wealth and class. First- and second-class passengers stayed in staterooms and cabins. But most people were in third class, called "steerage." Steerage as a large, open space at the bottom of the ship.
As many as 3,000 people crowded the ships. They often came from different countries, spoke different languages, and belonged to different religions. The trip across the Atlantic Ocean was rough. The ships were often crowded and dirty and most passengers were very tired when they arrived in New York Harbor.
One of the first things they saw was the Statue of Liberty, which has stood on its own island in the harbor since 1886. People would cheer when they spotted this famous symbol of America. Some would weep with joy as the ship passed by.
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" -Emma Lazarus