What was Ellis Island like when your ancestors arrived? Well, they didn't have instant video and various newscams around in those days, but there were a very few motion picture cameras available. One of those cameras was used on Ellis Island in 1906 and the video is now available on YouTube.
The video depicts scenes at the Immigration Depot and a nearby dock on Ellis Island. The video appears to show, first, a group of immigrants lined up to board a vessel leaving the island, then another group arriving at the island and being directed off of the dock and into the Depot by a uniformed official.
Millions of people saw and participated in similar scenes.
You can view the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8bPDdNRoxc or click on the image below.
Absolutely wonderful to see this. Really gets you into the swing of what it is really about to start a new life.Makes all those genealogists think about the times and conditions, not only the physical branch of a tree!!
Esther Kahn Melbourne Australia
Posted by: esther kahn | June 18, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Great video - so many people we interview on video had grandparents and great grandparents who came through Ellis Island. We often cut in a clip of Ellis Island (which may now include this video) to help tell the story. Thank you for the link (plus the related links to the video!).
Posted by: Jane | June 22, 2009 at 08:10 PM