1. Immigrants
• In 1860: U.S.
population =31.5
million
• 1865-1920, 30
million additional
people entered
Klassen family leaving the Ukraine
for the U.S.
3. The Island
• Ellis Island served
as the portal from
1892 to 1954.
• More than 12
million
immigrants were
processed
4. Baggage Room
• The arriving
immigrants checked
most of their
heaviest baggage in
the first-floor
baggage room
5. Stairs of Separation
• U.S. Public Health
Officials watched
them for signs of
a number of
illnesses
6. The Great Hall cont.
• Immigrants were
processed for
admission to the
United States.
• An interview with
the inspector would
determine the
applicants future.
8. The Medical Exam
• Medical Inspectors
watched the
people & marked
them with chalk
• The exam was
frightening &
embarrassing
• Many varied
ailments could
send you home
9. Trachoma & Fauves
• Trachoma & Fauves
were the 2 main
diseases that would
send you home
• Fauves is a skin
fungus
• Trachoma is a
version of “Pink
Eye”
10. The Kissing Post
• After immigrants
were approved for
admission, they
would walk down
the stairs to meet
their loved ones.
• This area became
known as the
Kissing Post.
