Inside Ellis Island: A Personal Account of the Immigrant Experience (1908)
📌 Explore the immigrant journey through Ellis Island in the early 1900s, from chaotic arrivals to the strict examination process, as detailed in this firsthand account. This article provides crucial insights into early U.S. immigration policies and the emotional impact on immigrants.
"The Immigrant Processing at Ellis Island - 1908"
In "The Immigrant Processing at Ellis Island," Jessie Kemp Hawkins provides a vivid, firsthand account of the grueling and complex process immigrants faced upon arriving in the United States through Ellis Island in the early 20th century.
The article, written in 1908, offers an invaluable perspective on the bureaucratic, medical, and emotional trials of new arrivals at the U.S. immigration hub. It is a significant resource for educators, historians, genealogists, and anyone studying the immigrant experience, providing rich insights into the systems and structures of early American immigration policies.
Immigrant at Registration Desk at Ellis Island ca 1910s. Bain News Service. Photograph shows a man waiting, with others in queue behind him, at the registration desk in the immigration station on Ellis Island; an immigration official is seated at the desk. Library of Congress # 97501640. GGA Image ID # 148505c990
You may think you can gain some idea about the arrivals at Ellis Island and of the Immigrant, but you never can. As we did, you must get a permit from the authorities and see the "human stream that pours from the steerage of every steamship that docks there into that huge reservoir, Ellis Island."
You should have seen those people land as I did. The noise was indescribable. Families tried to keep together; babies were crying, everyone seemed to speak a different language, and pandemonium reigned supreme.
These masses of people lugging all sorts and conditions of baggage were hurried down the long, narrow gangway (Tableau z) to the pier. All were sworn at for not moving faster, many were punched with a stick, and some treatment given by the stewards fairly made my blood boil, but I was powerless to prevent them or help.
Immigrants Arriving On the Docks at Ellis Island, circa 1910. National Photo Company. Library of Congress, LCCN 98516508. GGA Image ID # 2192bf0b11
The confusion was worse after they reached the pier than before, if possible. Many thought their baggage had been stolen; mothers were sure their children had been kidnapped or lost—poor souls, as if anyone would want to steal them 1—while everyone was tired and hungry, having had no food since early breakfast.
Ellis Island was the next place, and as they climbed the broad stairs in the great building, an officer familiar with many languages shouted, first in one tongue, then in another, "Get your health tickets ready." And where do you suppose they carried them? Why, in their mouths, to be sure, for their hands were full of children or baggage.
(Tableau 3.) At the head of the long pair of stairs, a uniformed officer met them, took their tickets, and stamped them with the Ellis Island stamp.
The next officer encountered was a keen-eyed doctor who seemed, with one sharp glance, to be able to determine what they had or what they ought to have that they did not have.
He was on the lookout for any signs of disease or deformity, and when anyone was found, the unfortunate possessor received a white chalk mark on his coat or sleeve. That meant the "detention pen," where he must wait for a more rigid examination.
Doctor Examine the Eyes of a Female Immigrant at Ellis Island, 1911. GGA Image ID # 2192c1ec2d
(Tableau 4.) Officer No. 4 had a towel hanging beside him, a small instrument in his hand, and a basin of disinfectants behind him. Before the poor immigrant suspected what was coming or could say "Jack Robinson," he applied the instrument to his eye, turning up the lid and quickly shutting it down again. He then repeated the operation on the other eye.
He was also looking for trouble; if any serious disease were discovered, the poor man would have to return to his native country.
Officer No. 5, the last one to be faced, was a woman. It was her place to discover suspicious characters and either send them to the detention rooms or special inquiry hoards.
And why was a woman selected for this critical task, you ask? Why Elizabeth Rollins? I'm surprised that you should ask such a question! It was a woman's intuition, of course.
The entrance ordeal was not quite over, however, and the poor immigrants were allowed to rest for a little while in curiously railed-off compartments marked with large letters, A. 13. C. D., etc.
Before these people embark on this country, each one is given a card with a number and letter. Thus, he was known as 25 B. throughout the voyage.
This card must always be kept in sight as a means of identification (Tableau 5). After a short rest, Officer No. 0 came along with a sheet of paper marked B in his hand.
Then, everyone in the "B" Compartment had to file out and be asked many questions. If the answers to similar questions agreed with those given before, they were ticketed with a 0. K. and an R., which meant they were bound for a railroad station.
A lame man received a ticket marked "S. I." which meant he had to go before a board of Special Inquiry; -on another read "L. P. C.," "liable to become a public charge." Of course, that meant deportation.
Inspection Card for Immigrants and Steerage Passengers on the RMS Oceanic, Departing Liverpool for New York on 5 June 1901 and Arriving in New York Ellis ISland on 14 June 1901. GGA Image ID # 1f1d2c323c
You would be surprised to see how these people try to trick Uncle Sam. "Diseased eyes have been doctored up for the occasion; lame persons have been trained to avoid the fatal limp during that walk between the two Surgeons; a man will hang his overcoat over a useless arm, and one method or another is used to enable them to get into this country."
I want to tell you about two men who came before the inspector and how they were treated. One was a bookkeeper whose father had given him money, and he was coming to make his fortune.
The inspector was unsatisfied and returned the case to the 'S. I. Board', a board responsible for further scrutiny of immigration cases. But his papers, money, and statements were transparent, and he was admitted; they gave him the benefit of the doubt, as they always do. Next in line came a well-built stocky Pole with nothing but a carpet bag, a few bundles, and a small amount of money showing.
Ambition was written all over his face, and he was admitted. 'Now,' said the recorder to Uncle Bob, pausing momentarily, 'see the difference between these two gents. The first duffer will look around for a job, spend time and money to get something to suit him, and keep his job for a short time; then he will give it up, run through his money, borrow from his friends, and then give them all the cold hand.
He won't wear well, and his dad knew it when he sent him over, but he was glad to get rid of him. So lots of them are. Now, look at the difference between him and that Pole. He knows nothing but work. Look at his eyes, mild but good.
He has been brought up next to Mother Earth; turn him loose from the train when he reaches his destination, and he will dig. He won't hang around looking for a job, but he will till the soil, and before you or I know it, he will have crops, and that is what he will live on.
He comes from a hard country, is tough, and when you and I go around shivering in an overcoat, he will go around in his shirt sleeves. That is the stuff we want here, not the first kind, with flabby hands and sapped vitality.' The contrast between the two is stark, highlighting the impact of their choices and work ethics.
Sure enough, the inspector was right. Uncle Bob saw him a few months later and said the bookkeeper finally surrendered to the police and was sent back home. The inspector's foresight and judgment played a crucial role in this outcome, underscoring the importance of his role in the immigration process.
Immigrant Family Detained at Ellis Island. GGA Image ID # 219308b748
"The inspectors are wise in showing partiality to the men who have plenty of days work in them, even if they have less money."
I became so interested in watching these people that I felt sorry to see the last one leave.
Hawkins, Jessie Kemp, "Winifred Adams' Visit to New York and its Outcome," in the Home Missionary, Volume LXXXII, No. 1, April 1908.
Relevance to Immigration Studies
The article is highly relevant to immigration studies as it showcases the detailed, human side of the immigration process, which is essential for understanding the broader historical, social, and political context of U.S. immigration laws during the early 20th century. The description of the various stages immigrants underwent—from medical inspections to questioning and detention—highlights the systemic challenges and biases that governed the experience for many newcomers. It also touches on the personal impact of immigration policies on individuals and families, making it an essential resource for understanding the day-to-day realities of immigration during this period.
Key Highlights and Engaging Content
The Chaos of Arrival
The opening description of the immigrant arrivals at Ellis Island vividly captures the pandemonium and confusion as thousands of immigrants disembark from ships, battling language barriers, exhaustion, and fear.
The "human stream" pouring from the steerage section of ships paints a picture of the overcrowded, chaotic scene at the docking station. This scene provides an immediate emotional connection to the immigrant experience, emphasizing the uncertainty and hardship they faced.
The Step-by-Step Process
The article takes readers through the multi-step immigration process at Ellis Island, which includes medical examinations, registration, and questioning by immigration officials. Each step, described in great detail, reveals the bureaucratic nature of the system and the hardships involved for immigrants.
The "chalk mark" for those who were deemed ill or unfit to enter the country, and the detailed inspection process that immigrants underwent, serves as a stark reminder of the stringent immigration laws of the time.
Immigrant Types and the Decision-Making Process
The vivid portrayal of different immigrant types, such as the contrast between the bookkeeper and the hardworking Polish immigrant, reflects the judgmental nature of immigration decisions. The article illustrates how physical strength and the ability to work the land were often valued over education or financial means, underscoring the importance of labor in the early 20th-century U.S. economy.
The discussion of how some immigrants were "sent back" or detained for further inspection based on their perceived fitness for labor provides critical insight into how immigration officials assessed potential immigrants.
Engaging Photos
Several noteworthy images accompany this article, which deepen the reader's understanding of the Ellis Island experience:
📸 "Immigrant at Registration Desk at Ellis Island"
This photograph, showing a man waiting at the registration desk, captures the stark, clinical environment of Ellis Island, where immigrants were scrutinized by officials. It is an essential image for understanding the controlled, impersonal process of immigration during this time.
📸 "Immigrants Arriving on the Docks at Ellis Island"
This photo, taken around the 1910s, illustrates the crowded and chaotic arrival process, providing visual evidence of the conditions that newcomers faced as they first set foot on American soil.
📸 "Immigrant Family Detained at Ellis Island"
This image captures the emotional toll of detention, highlighting the uncertainty and distress that families experienced during their time at Ellis Island. It serves as a powerful visual representation of the human cost of immigration laws.
Educational and Historical Insights
Immigration Laws and Processes
The article provides important historical context about the procedures and decisions that shaped the early U.S. immigration system. The emphasis on health inspections, the use of chalk marks to identify unfit immigrants, and the distinct roles played by immigration officials, such as Elizabeth Rollins, offer detailed insights into how the system was organized. Understanding these procedures is essential for historians and students studying U.S. immigration history.
Labor and Ethnicity in Immigration
The discussion of the different types of immigrants, and how they were assessed for their labor potential, sheds light on the ethnic and racial biases present in immigration policies at the time. The contrast between the educated bookkeeper and the hard-working Polish immigrant underscores the preference for physically capable, labor-ready immigrants, a common attitude in the early 20th century when industrial and agricultural labor was in high demand.
The Emotional and Psychological Impact
The emotional journey of immigrants, captured through personal stories and vivid descriptions, provides an invaluable resource for understanding the human side of the immigration process. The fear, hope, and perseverance of the immigrants as they navigated the various stages of Ellis Island reveal the psychological toll of the journey. These insights are crucial for students and researchers who wish to study immigration not just as a political or economic process, but as a deeply personal experience.
Final Thoughts
The Immigrant Processing at Ellis Island offers an essential snapshot of the immigrant experience in the early 1900s, emphasizing both the bureaucratic structure and the emotional resilience of newcomers.
The combination of detailed descriptions, human stories, and visual documentation makes this article a key resource for understanding the multifaceted nature of immigration to the U.S. at Ellis Island.
The article serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and fairness in dealing with immigrants, and how systems of immigration, while necessary for regulation, also profoundly impact the lives of those seeking a better future.
The personal stories, combined with the broader historical and political context, provide a well-rounded view of the immigration experience, making it an excellent educational tool for a wide range of audiences.
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