Are Ellis Island records available online?

Ellis Island has an online searchable database, created by the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation, of 22.5 million arrivals to New York between 1892 – 1924. Registration is required but free, and you can view scanned images of actual passenger manifests. You can also purchase copies through the site.

How can I see Ellis Island Records?

At the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and on the Foundation’s website you can explore your family heritage by searching nearly 65 million passenger records and ship manifests, examining information collected at debarkation points.

How do you find your name on Ellis Island?

The monument is located on the grounds of Ellis Island overlooking the Lower Manhattan skyline. Names can be viewed and added to the Wall of Honor database online or while visiting the American Family Immigration History Center at Ellis Island. New names are engraved into the Wall panels annually.

How do I find immigration records?

We have immigration records for arrivals to the United States from foreign ports between approximately 1820 and 1982. The records are arranged by Port of Arrival. Familysearch.org is a free site. Ancestry and Fold3 are both subscription services that allow free searches of some or all index terms for each title.

Can you walk to Ellis Island?

No, public access to Ellis Island is only via ferry boat operated by Statue City Cruises. The docking of private vessels is strictly prohibited. The bridge to Ellis Island is not open to the public and is available to authorized personnel only.

How do I find Ellis Island records for free?

Now, a complete collection of Ellis Island passenger lists is available online and searchable for free at FamilySearch. These ship passenger records span more than half the nation’s history, including millions of arrivals during the “Great Wave” of immigration (1880s–early 1920s).

Where did immigrants come Besides Ellis Island?

The story of ancestors arriving through Ellis Island is a popular one and although New York was the port of choice for millions of immigrants, many also traveled through Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and other U.S. ports.

Why were last names changed at Ellis Island?

Because, as Philip Sutton of the New York Public Library explains, the inspectors at Ellis Island “did not create records of immigration; rather they checked the names of the people moving through Ellis Island against those recorded in the ship’s passenger list, or manifest.” No names were changed at Ellis Island.

Are immigration records public?

All immigrants admitted since May 1, 1951 should be entirely documented in an A-File, a unified folder intended to hold all records related to one individual. A-Files numbered 8 million and above (arrived May 1, 1951 and after) are available through the USCIS Freedom of Information Act Program (FOIA).

How many years does USCIS keep records?

100 years
USCIS controls the subject’s A-File for 100 years from the date of birth, and then transfers the files to NARA for permanent retention. NFTS continues to store the file location information even after a file is retired for accurate records keeping purposes.

Is it worth going to Ellis Island?

Which is why I am here to tell you that it is absolutely, 100% worth it. Whether you’ve never heard of it before in your life, or have heard countless personal stories from family and friends, Ellis Island should undeniably be on your NYC bucket list.

How long is ferry ride to Ellis Island?

The tour is self-guided and self-paced. The time spent on each Island is entirely up to the visitor and what they wish to view while visiting. Generally, one hour to two hours are enough time to visit Ellis Island. Ferries depart from Ellis Island approximately every 20 minutes.

Where can I find Ellis Island passenger records?

This manifest archive has been expanded beyond the peak years at Ellis Island to include Port of New York passenger records from 1820 to 1957. This web site was developed and is maintained by the American Family Immigration History Center located on Ellis Island.

How many passengers arrived at Ellis Island in 1820?

Item has been added to your cart. Record has been added to your wishlist. Welcome to our free Ellis Island Passenger Search database, home to 65 million records of passengers arriving to the Port of New York from 1820 to 1957. For tips on how best to utilize the database, check out our Genealogy Primer page.

Do You Change Your Name at Ellis Island?

Remember, ship manifest records were filled out at the ship’s Port of Departure, not at Ellis Island. The names listed on a manifest reflect the passenger’s “original” name and were not ‘changed’ at Ellis Island, despite this popular myth. For example, an Italian immigrant you knew as “Joseph” will likely be listed as

How can I trace my ancestor to Ellis Island?

Today, tens of millions of Americans can trace at least one ancestor to Ellis. Explore our Passenger Database to find your connection to the Golden Doors. Simply click HERE to log in to (or create) your account and start searching!