As the primary entry port for European immigrants coming to the U.S., Ellis Island was a symbol of hope for many and a disappointment for some. Anyone interested in the situation of those who landed there and those deported from there will find this encyclopedia of its history and processes compelling reading as well as useful information. The author is the librarian and historian at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
The introduction provides an overview of Ellis Island's history, from its early occupation by Lenni Lenapes to its closure as a federal immigrant inspection station in 1954. More than 400 alphabetically arranged entries cover a variety of topics, among them places (Baggage room, Surgeon's house); health issues (Medical certificates, Tuberculosis); aspects of the immigration experience (Enemy aliens, Interpreters, Marriages, Passports); screening processes (Mental testing, rimary inspection); assisting agencies (Belgian Bureau,Salvation Army); and more. A number of entries deal with the rehabilitation project that yielded the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, dedicated in 1990. Others profile people, from commissioners, inspectors, and other individuals who worked on the island to politicians, writers, and famous immigrants.
A detailed chronology, an alphabetical list of entries, and lists of entries by subject and (for people) by field of endeavor enable users to appreciate the scope of this work and to troll for interesting pieces of the story. What were the Kissing Post and the Stairs of Separation? Why were all immigrants examined for Trachoma, and what was the treatment if it was found? Why did the FBI arrest singer Ezio Pinza as an enemy alien?
Entries are enhanced by black-and-white illustrations, cross-references, and bibliographic references to other sources.
Primary documents in the three appendixes--a 1912 report by Commissioner William Williams, excerpts from the "Personnel. Report of 1909," and the 1910-1913 "Rules for the U.S. Immigrant Station at Ellis Island"--provide even more insight into how Ellis Island worked. The general bibliography includes books, government reports, and films.
Students of nineteenth- and twentieth-century American history, cultural heritage, and immigration policy will find this source enlightening. Descendants of those who arrived in the U.S. via Ellis Island will be moved by its description of their experiences. It is an excellent companion to the author's previous work, The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia (2000), and is recommended for school, public, and undergraduate libraries. Sally Jane
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Review
"As the primary entry port for European immigrants coming to the U.S., Ellis Island was a symbol of hope for many and a disappointment for some. Anyone interested in the situation of those who landed there and those deported from there will find this encyclopedia of its history and processes compelling reading as well as useful information. The author is the librarian and historian at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum....Students of nineteenth- and twentieth-century American history, cultural heritage, and immigration policy will find this source enlightening. Descendants of those who arrived in the U.S. via Ellis Island will be moved by its description of their experiences. It is an excellent companion to the author's previous work, The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia (2000) and is recommended for school, public, and undergraduate libraries."-Booklist
