Ellis Island: The Human Side of Immigration in 1923
📌 Discover the human elements of Ellis Island in 1923, where immigrants received care, comfort, and dignity as they entered the United States. This first-hand account highlights the welfare services, cultural integration, and personal stories that defined Ellis Island during this transformative period in U.S. immigration history.
First-Hand Impressions of Ellis Island (1923)
Relevance to Immigration Studies for Teachers, Students, Genealogists, Historians, and Others
The article First-Hand Impressions of Ellis Island (1923) provides a unique and insightful view into the immigrant experience at Ellis Island in the early 20th century. This piece is invaluable for immigration studies, offering firsthand impressions and a human perspective on the immigrant process, particularly during the post-war era when the U.S. was experiencing significant waves of immigration.
Teachers, students, genealogists, and historians will find this article useful for understanding the historical context, humanization of immigration procedures, and the evolution of services at Ellis Island. The descriptions of the everyday experiences of immigrants serve as both historical documentation and a lens into the lives of those who passed through Ellis Island in search of a better life.
Kindergarten Class at Ellis Island. Photo by Brown Bros. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e6187ffd
Proof That It’s the Little Things That Count at Ellis Island
The human side of Ellis Island stands out most happily in the kindergarten, where you see little girls and boys from all over Europe beginning to learn fellow citizenship. Friendliness is the keynote of this room, and despite the difference in language, the entente is very cordial.
The only way to get the real atmosphere and "feeling" of Ellis Island, the great gateway to the United States, is to imagine yourself as an immigrant entering that gate for the first time.
As you arrive in the ferryboat and view the dignified, imposing red administration building, you can well imagine, especially if it is your first visit, as it was mine, the impression the Island makes on the thousands of newcomers each year.
The buildings have an official strength and dependability, a sense of well-ordered routine that is confirmed later when you examine the inner workings of this intricate yet smooth-running system.
Anyone who has viewed the workings of that system will wonder not a little at the reports one sometimes hears, the unfounded reports that belittle and depreciate the way immigrants are received at Ellis Island.
Anyone who visits the Island unofficially, as I did, and gets an opportunity to see how things are will appreciate how humanely and efficiently the great task of handling thousands of immigrants a year is accomplished.
You step off the ferryboat and walk down the path to the attractive entrance, trying to imagine yourself a foreigner in a strange land, wondering how such a man or woman feels as the gateway of the land of promise swings open.
You go up the steps and into a large, light room, where the men and women are divided off and given a medical examination, the men by men doctors and the women by women doctors.
After the examination, those detained for some illness or diseased condition are sent to a large, modern, well-equipped hospital for treatment.
The others go upstairs to the great hall, where they are quickly divided according to nationality and seated on long benches to await the customary inspection.
The inspector checks each name on his sheet, questions each immigrant, and allows those whose standing is adequate and who pass the simple examination to leave Ellis Island immediately and enter the United States officially.
Those who are detained are brought before a Board of Special Inquiry and have their cases considered. If the Board decides that they are eligible for admission, they, too, are free to leave.
Everything you notice as you view various aspects of the system gives the benefit of the doubt to the immigrant. The system is not intended to exclude as many immigrants as possible.
On the contrary, every circumstance is carefully weighed and treated with a very humane and kind consideration. If an immigrant can be admitted, he is admitted.
When an immigrant is free to leave the Island, he—or, more particularly, she—is not simply left adrift, bewildered, and often all alone in a strange city. Here, one pauses to admire how the human touch is applied to all the problems of Ellis Island.
Suppose you were a young Portuguese woman bound for Wisconsin. You speak no English—the newness and bigness of this new big world frightens you.
A friend of your father's has written that he will put you on the train to Wisconsin. He does not arrive. What are you to do?
The Traveler's Aid steps in at this point. One of their staff sees that the young woman gets safely to her train—they were her people in Wisconsin. She is as well provided for as if her father's friend had come for her.
And if he had come for her, the authorities would have ensured that his credentials were as they should be before entrusting her to a stranger.
So thorough are the investigations at Ellis Island that it is comparatively safe for unaccompanied women to come not only to New York but even to travel across the continent. This level of security ensures that immigrants can embark on their new journey with peace of mind.
Other things are done to ensure the welfare of immigrants leaving the Island. They get their railway tickets there, preventing speculators from fleecing them. This fair treatment ensures that immigrants are not taken advantage of during their transition.
They can exchange their foreign money there at the current rate of exchange, likewise securing them from loss through unscrupulous agents. They can also buy packages of food for the journey from a firm that has the concession to sell foodstuffs at fair fixed prices.
There is a telegraph station where they can send and receive telegrams from their friends and relatives, and there is a post office.
You are agreeably surprised at the wealth of accommodation provided for newcomers to the United States, and you can realize, seeing all these things, why Liberty's promise is carried out at the very beginning—things are conducted at Ellis Island with the immigrant's viewpoint in mind.
Insofar as such a difficult task is possible, the immigrant feels at home from the moment he puts foot on the Island till he leaves.
Especially interesting are the quarters for those who are detained for some good reason until they can seek their fortunes in this new country.
Large, light, airy dormitories with sanitary conveniences are provided for those who have to stay over. Separate quarters are provided for men and women. A visiting Englishman who made a tour of Ellis Island declared that the sleeping quarters there were equal to those in some of the boarding houses in Great Britain.
There is a large, white-tiled dining room where good food is served to those of the immigrants who have to stay over. There is also a large recreation room and an enclosed porch overlooking the Bay, which the women and children enjoy.
The one spot that best shows the human side of Ellis Island is the kindergarten. Here, you see little boys and girls from a dozen countries all over Europe, forming a diverse and inclusive community.
Two little girls from Holland, their yellow pigtails and neat print frocks a picture of tidiness, are stitching a brown goose in outline on a pretty apron. A group of little boys are cutting out pictures.
A tiny youngster rolls himself and a huge ball along the floor. Later, there are songs, and the little newcomers take their first step in learning the language of their adopted country.
Friendliness is in the very atmosphere of this room—friendliness despite the differences in language and the newness and strangeness which generally make children irritable and ill-tempered.
This friendliness reflects the atmosphere as a whole on Ellis Island. It is proof that a kind understanding can accomplish wonders. Anyone who gets a glimpse of the very intricate regime at Ellis Island will agree that its smooth methods are a cause for wonder.
It is not only in large things that Ellis Island proves inviting to immigrants. Indeed, the outer aspect of the island— and the buildings—is impressive, and Ellis Island, as you may know, costs $10,000,000.
But there are all sorts of smaller comforts and even luxuries, notably a grand pipe organ that provides music for those detained on the Island. Sunday concerts with prominent artists are held.
Entertainment is arranged. Music, which everyone, no matter what his nationality, understands, is a good way of making the newcomers feel happy and at home. It is typical of the good spirit, human sympathy, and understanding that rule Ellis Island.
Immigrant's First Meal in America Photo by Brown Bros. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e61df053
Their First Meal in America Is a Good One
The large, while-tiled dining room at Ellis Island is typical of the smooth-running régime. Here, good, nourishing, appetizing food helps along the favorable impression newcomers to the United States take away with them from Ellis Island.
Immigrants Before the Board of Inquiry. Photo by Brown Bros. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e6627f5e
Some Special Cases Before the Board of Inquiry
Immigrants who fail to establish their eligibility for admission into the United States are brought before the Board of Special Inquiry and have their cases considered. Every circumstance is carefully weighed, and if an immigrant can be admitted, he is admitted.
Ellis Island Administration Building and Transportation Barges. Photo by Brown Bros. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e697b28e
The Imposing Administration Building and the Transportation Barges
These white-painted barges, heated in winter, carry immigrants from the steamer to Ellis Island. An official impression of the administration building is confirmed later when you examine the system's workings at Ellis Island.
Hospital Ward at Ellis Island. Photo by Brown Bros. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e6a55048
A Sunny Ward in the Hospital
Here, patients with infectious diseases are treated free of charge until good health is achieved, which makes them eligible for entrance into the United States. It is enjoyable for a hospital.
Arial View of Ellis Island. Photo by Fairchild Aerial Service. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e6f6540d
An Air Pilot Sees Ellis Island From an Unusual Viewpoint
But even from the air, Ellis Island looks square. As not many people know, it is a “manufactured” island, and its buildings and equipment cost $10,000,000. Its situation on the busiest bay in the world makes it a remarkably interesting foyer for newcomers from all over the world.
Old Immigrant from Odessa. Photo by Bradley & Merrill. The Cunarder Magazine, September 1923. GGA Image ID # 21e700f3fe
A Fine Type of Immigrant on Ellis Island
This white-bearded grandfather from Odessa is a grand old man, indeed. Visions of peace and comfort in a new country light his face with interest.
Smith, "Judge" Harold I., "First-Hand Impressions of Ellis Island," in The Cunarder, Vol. 5, No. 3, September 1923, p. 23-26+.
Key Highlights and Engaging Content
Kindergarten and Welfare Services
One of the most engaging parts of the article is the kindergarten at Ellis Island, where children of immigrants began learning fellowship and community despite language differences. The description of the diverse classrooms, with children from different European countries, highlights the early steps in fostering a sense of belonging and integration.
For historians and genealogists, this offers a glimpse into the subtle, yet profound, efforts to provide educational support, and the humanization of immigration for families.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: Kindergarten Class at Ellis Island – This image provides a visual representation of this diverse, inclusive environment where children learned the values of American citizenship early on.
This image encapsulates the "human side" of Ellis Island, something that resonates with educators looking to teach students about the immigrant experience beyond official records.
Human Touch in Immigration Procedures
The article delves into the human touch of Ellis Island's processes, focusing on how immigrants were treated with kindness and consideration. An example is given of a Portuguese woman who, upon arriving at Ellis Island, was taken to her destination by a Traveler's Aid guide when her expected contact did not appear.
The personalized care and attention that ensured her safety is a testament to the compassionate services offered at Ellis Island.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: Immigrant's First Meal in America – This image captures the importance of basic human needs like food and nourishment, showing how even the first meal in America was carefully provided to make immigrants feel welcomed and cared for.
Security and Comfort for Immigrants
The article also highlights the steps taken to ensure immigrant security and prevent exploitation. New arrivals were given railway tickets, had access to fair food prices, and could exchange their foreign money at proper rates. This added layer of protection from potential speculators and fraud adds a layer of trust and security for new arrivals as they began their journey in a new country.
The focus on women's safety and proper documentation to ensure they were escorted by credible guides speaks to the protective measures taken to avoid exploitation.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: A Sunny Ward in the Hospital – The image and accompanying description highlight how immigrants in need of medical care were treated in well-equipped, free hospitals, ensuring that health was not an obstacle to entry. It emphasizes healthcare as a fundamental part of the immigration process.
The Experience of Immigrants Detained at Ellis Island
The article explores the detention process at Ellis Island, where immigrants who had to remain on the island for further inspection were provided with comfortable and hygienic dormitories, food, and recreation areas.
The care taken in providing a supportive environment for detained immigrants adds a layer of human dignity to what might otherwise be seen as a bureaucratic process.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: Immigrants Before the Board of Inquiry – This image depicts immigrants in a serious, yet dignified, process of being assessed. The image and accompanying narrative emphasize the respectful treatment even during difficult moments, illustrating the balance between legal requirements and human rights.
Music and Entertainment to Alleviate the Stress
The article also mentions entertainment programs, including Sunday concerts featuring prominent artists, as a way of lifting spirits during the stressful waiting periods. The music offered to the immigrants was an uplifting element that provided both comfort and a sense of community at the entrance to their new lives.
🖼 Noteworthy Image: An Air Pilot Sees Ellis Island From an Unusual Viewpoint – This aerial view of Ellis Island adds an interesting visual layer to the otherwise personal and human-centric descriptions.
It gives a sense of the scale of the Ellis Island operations, reminding readers of the sheer volume of immigrants processed and the importance of the Island in the history of U.S. immigration.
Educational and Historical Insights
Personal Stories and Practical Support
The article brings attention to the practical support systems in place at Ellis Island, from food and medical care to language support and guidance services. These were essential to the experience of immigrants and reflect the progressive views on immigrant welfare that emerged in the early 20th century.
Humanizing the Immigration Process
The narrative is structured around the human stories and individual experiences of the immigrants, which provides a contrast to the often impersonal and bureaucratic view of immigration history. This makes it ideal for teachers and students to explore how systems of care developed alongside immigration policies.
The Immigrant Journey in America
The descriptions of immigrants’ experiences at Ellis Island provide key insights into the challenges faced by immigrants as they entered a new world. From language barriers to cultural adjustment, the article illustrates the early steps in the immigrant journey, which can be studied in greater detail by historians or genealogists researching family histories.
Final Thoughts
First-Hand Impressions of Ellis Island offers a unique glimpse into the human side of immigration during a transformative period in U.S. history. It captures how systematic changes were made to ensure that Ellis Island not only served as a gateway to America but also as a place of care and human dignity.
The article’s focus on comfort, safety, and cultural integration makes it essential reading for anyone interested in the immigrant experience and the evolution of U.S. immigration policy.
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