Questions and Answers
What was one common reason immigrants came to America through Ellis Island?
How did most immigrants begin their journey to America?
On foot, horseback, or train.
The trip across the Atlantic Ocean took two to three weeks.
False
What did health officers check for upon the ship's arrival in New York Harbor?
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What was the nickname of the Registry Room at Ellis Island?
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What contagious disease were immigrants checked for between 1903 and 1914?
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What marked immigrants deemed a risk to public health during inspections?
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The immigration process usually took just _____ hours.
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Study Notes
Immigration Process Overview
- Immigrants predominantly hailed from eastern and southern Europe, seeking escape from poverty and religious intolerance.
- The journey to America typically began on foot, horseback, or train, often covering hundreds of miles to reach seaports.
- The transatlantic voyage lasted one to two weeks aboard steamships, with accommodations varying by wealth and class.
- Third-class passengers, in "steerage," endured crowded and basic conditions, often traveling with up to 3,000 other individuals.
Arrival at New York Harbor
- Upon arrival, many immigrants were exhausted and confronted with the sight of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of hope and a new beginning.
- Health officers conducted inspections upon docking; first- and second-class passengers experienced shorter processing times compared to the lengthy wait for third-class passengers, who were transported to Ellis Island for further processing.
Processing at Ellis Island
- Officers greeted immigrants at Ellis Island, directing them down the gangplank and distributing numbered identity tags.
- Language barriers created confusion among non-English speaking passengers amid the overwhelming environment filled with people carrying belongings.
- The inspection process commenced in the Baggage Room, where possessions were temporarily left for safekeeping.
Medical Inspections
- The immigration procedure typically took only a few hours, starting at the winding stairs leading to the Registry Room.
- Doctors monitored individuals in the Registry Room, scrutinizing them for physical ailments, especially those impacting mobility and breathing.
Great Hall (Registry Room)
- The Great Hall was a massive rectangular space measuring 200 feet long by 102 feet wide, presenting newcomers with an expansive indoor environment.
- Long metal rails organized the flow of people for medical and legal inspections, while wooden benches were added in 1903 for waiting.
- Immigrants underwent checks for trachoma, with doctors using buttonhooks to inspect eyelids—those diagnosed were often deported.
Six-Second Physical Exam
- A primary health assessment called the "six-second physical" was conducted by a doctor looking for indicators of illness or contagion.
- Those deemed a public health risk had their clothes marked with chalk, designating specific issues: "X" for mental health concerns, "P" for lung problems.
- Passengers who cleared this initial check moved on for legal inspection within the organized lines of the Great Hall.
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Description
Explore the essential steps involved in immigration to America, focusing on the experiences of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. This quiz provides insights into the challenges faced by those escaping poverty and intolerance in their homelands. Test your knowledge on the historical journey and struggles of early 20th-century immigrants.
