Ellis Island, a unique documentary about immigration into the USA, for the first time in color!

Probably the periode between 1892 and the first World War, during which approximately 12 million immigrants entered the USA, can be considered as the most important in American history. After reading numerous comments under KZbin videos that deal with this topic, it has become clear that this is not the most popular subject on any school's curriculum. One of the reasons could be that the available poor quality film footage makes it difficult, especially for young people, to associate with such an old period on history, including the ordeals that immigrants experienced. Therefore this restored and colorized film is an attempt to bring these historic events better into perspective and thus become more appealing to be viewed through todays eyes.
It is important to understand why people wanted to become an American citizen more than a century ago, especially in view of the fact that there is a 40% chance that one of these immigrants was your great, great grandfather or great grandmother. What drove them to undertake such a dangerous journey that would also totally change their lives? The answer is fairly simple: poverty, hardship, joblessness and persecution were widespread in Europe around 1900. In Eastern Europe young men were being drafted for compulsary conscription. Life, especially in Southern and Eastern European countries like Italy, Poland, Tjecho Slovakia, Russia, Romania and other was hard. The USA was thought to be to be the land of the future with huge potential for a better life, maybe even the possibility to become rich. In fact this is when and where the American dream started.
This is my first home made documentary! It combines all my skills of restoring and colorizing of film footage using state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence software, complicated video editing, complemented with self-written narrative and great music by contemporary composer Trevor Kowalski.
I hope you all will share my enthousiasm for this finished project and encourage me to continue on the path of making more historic documentaries in this same style. Thank you very much for watching.
Source: Archive.org, Prelinger Archive, Library of Congress and other.
Music: Trevor Kowalski.
Trevor Kowalski is a composer and multi-musician from the foothills of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. He wrote some of his first melodic ideas during the breaks of his piano lessons as early as at the age of six!

[@Rick88888888]

*Don't forget to subscribe to my channel* ! There are already more than 220 restored and colorized historic films on my channel. Please dó explore this channel: kzbin.infovideos and also my other channel with material that cannot be monetized: kzbin.info/door/dcPmaJEJeJTAnfSWMQNyHwvideos This is my first home made documentary including nice background music and unique commentary, drafted and spoken by myself.

[@valval1547]

A very touching and enlightening video, so beautifully produced. Thank you!

[@Rick88888888]

@@valval1547 I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

[@French-Kiss24]

My Italian grandfather arrived at Ellis Island in 1892. He spoke no English. However he later graduated from Yale Theological Seminary, through determination and hard work. I have visited Ellis Island. It is empty now. So, thank you for this video as it captures what it was like from him and millions of others.

[@Alistair14]

Another first rate film, beautifully restored. Many thanks for uploading this. For info: the two funnelled ship behind the train (at approx. minus12.07) looks like the British Royal Yacht 'Victoria and Albert' (?). The three funnelled liner (at approx. minus 11.31) is one of Albert Ballin's trio of super liners for Hapag Lloyd, 'Imperator', 'Vaterland' and 'Bismarck'. If the footage was shot before World War One the vessel is either of the first two - 'Bismarck' was not ready before the outbreak of hostilities. After the war all three became reparations of the allies. becoming 'Berengaria' (Cunard), 'Leviathan' (United States Lines) and 'Majestic' (White Star) respectively. There is a wonderful extended view of 'Leviathan' (at approx. minus1.47). Interestingly, all three ships were broken up in Scotland at Inverkeithing on the River Forth. And for added value (!!) 'Majestic' became HMS 'Caledonia' berthed at Rosyth on the River Forth and used for training Engine Room Artificers. My father trained there. 'Caledonia' went on fire at her moorings early in World War Two. Her hulk was towed the short distance to Inverkeithing for demolition.

[@Rick88888888]

Thank you for this very useful and interesting information

[@marksenna9335]

Fascinating input - thank you Alistair!

[@lungnepfarang3229]

Hoi Rick wat moet ik nog zeggen meesterlijk zoals gewoonlijk klasse al die tijd die je er insteekt mooi hoor bedankt Rick 🙏🙏🌟

[@lonerwolfen]

everytime i watch olden video in color with cinematic style, it's like my soul was there as well.... beautiful work

[@RonRicho]

I don't know how a video could be so uplifting and depressing at the same time. Ah, the human spirt. Both my maternal ,and paternal grandparents came through Ellis Island. Strong, courageous people they were.

[@elfrank333]

my grandfather wanted to reach america but when first to argentina fall in love and stay there never reach america so you never know in what part of the globe you may born

[@nuffsaid783]

@@elfrank333 yes many Italians emigrated to Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.

[@helgazubiz1750]

Anche alcuni della mia famiglia paterna

[@fob1xxl]

My Dad and his family came through Ellis Island in 1906 coming from Italy when he was just 3 years old. There were his parents and 5 children. He was the baby. An older sister who was married was sent back to Italy because of TB. He never saw her again. I have his name on the wall that was built in the 1990's. He will forever be a part of Ellis Island and history.

[@douga.3666]

goddamn how old are you??

[@fob1xxl]

​@@douga.3666 I'm 78. Someday, maybe you will reach that age.

[@douga.3666]

@@fob1xxl well see about that

[@adude3179]

My great grandfather came on 1906 from Modugno, Bari, Italy

[@lisap4251]

When my grandfather was born in Naples Italy in 1906 his mother died while giving birth to him. His father had 3 other small children and now a baby. He was heading to America and a woman who was a friend of his decided to marry him help him with his small children in America. People at that time really thought money grew on the trees. Immigrants were put in small shanty neighborhoods. No running water no toilet. It was really hard back then. The majority of immigrants had large families. My grandfather was working at 11 years old on the piers. It was very hard for immigrants Italian were called the N word. No one would give them jobs. So this didn’t only happen to black and Hispanic

[@LinhasGerais]

What mean N word?

[@lisap4251]

@LinhasGerais you do know what the n word means? Where are you from?

[@CarlosPerez-wd8zo]

​@@lisap4251 thanks you for sharing you background , don't worry about haters

[@genestatler2514]

Thank you for such a powerful documentary. Yes I for one would certainly like to see you do more videos like this.

[@AlleyCracker1]

This is exceptional work. Memories of my Austrian grandparents come flooding back. It is a mitzvah to see this footage. THANK YOU!

[@3cardmonty602]

My Grandparents came here during the 1910’s, & I Thank God everyday that they came here.

[@thegreatest3371]

Same here on my mothers side. I'm third generation.

[@michaelpagsanhan9376]

just curious, from what country?

[@mariag2563]

That's a dumb mindset. Of course you wouldn't actually exist at all if they didn't (you also wouldn't exist at all if your mother decided she was too tired and said no to your father whenever you were conceived), but if you were born in your ancestral homeland, you wouldn't know any different. If you are the patriotic type, you'd be patriotic to your ancestral homeland instead. Depending on your ancestral homeland, you would possibly even hate the US or think it's a cringe country. Do you think there's many people out there that regret that their grandparents didn't immigrate to the US?

[@laurum1318]

This is so interesting! Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@silliaek]

I would love to know more about the lives they left behind in Europe and what it took to get all the way to Ellis Island. That aspect of immigrant lives is never part of the story. It's like they just appear in NY Harbor. Thank you for showing some videos of their pre America experience.

[@fonso1030]

The very few people I met when I was a teenager didn’t want to even remember the life they left behind. My great grandfather came Through Ellis island and most of his recollection was of NYC and then the magic of Philadelphia, the Liberty bell, and the wax figures of American presidents. I have yet to find which place it is that he was remembering.

[@LisaG515]

My grandparents and great grandparents came thru Ellis Island from Hungary and Germany. When the Austro-Hungarian empire fell apart after WW I, there was so much turmoil and violence that it wasn't safe or smart to stick around.

[@luciopietrantonio2647]

You don’t need much to understand if you really do DESIRE to understand. There are lots of overlaps with what happens at the Rio Grande River every day.

[@psychedelicpython]

My grandparents all came from Italy before 1920. I thought of them as I watched this video.

[@tonyringo6309]

Beautiful 😪

[@jn3083]

so did mine....in 1910 from Calabria

[@jamieh8101]

Fantastic work! It’s very meaningful to see these faces brought to life with color! It will be fun to watch with our teen sons! 🙏🏻 thank you!!!

[@Saucyakld]

We came to New Zealand in 1960, but same conditions. My father finally said I have a friend who lives in New Zealand, he said it's a paradise to what I left. So off we went on a boat for six weeks. No map at the time could be found with New Zealand on it so we were sailing blind. Best thing he ever did!

[@EmpressTmalkiaZuri]

Colonizers it sounds like

[@genealogygeek6973]

This was amazing! The time period that was shared in the video was definitely the time my maternal great grandparent’s came over from Italy and my paternal great grandmother came from Armenia. It broke my heart how some of the immigrants were turned away do to their poor health. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the next video!

[@jamieh8101]

Heartbreaking, indeed. I can’t imagine. Brings tears to my eyes.

[@rockyzrockyx917]

I believe most were treated at Ellis Island and then allowed to immigrate.

[@mrs.g.9816]

My late husband Steve and I once visited Ellis Island after it was refurbished. I was moved by the stories I learned and the "artifacts" left there. I wondered if Steve's Hungarian grandparents and my Irish and German ancestors had to go through Ellis Island. Steve said he wondered if there'd be ghosts at Ellis Island because he could feel a "presence" there. We both wondered if lots of immigrants used to tell one another to look strong climbing the stairs, and not to cough.

[@elzaaltmann]

My father's aunt went through Ellis Island, but to get onto another ship and head towards Indonesia. Stepping stone.

[@modestacattaruzza7400]

Courage, strength , guts , skill, determination, faith, hope, perseverance, and the know how to survive and learn,seek, discipline, and succeed in a very harsh situation and invirament. God Bless them all. Their faith on God and famly brought these strong geniel people forward. They are the once who built America with hard work sweat,band tears.

[@marksenna9335]

Beautifully done! My grandma and grandpa came through Ellis Island via Portugal. They truly lived the American dream.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Nobel werk wat u verricht , niet alleen de restauraties en het inkleuren , maar belangrijker deze zeldzame filmpjes zijn nu voor het nageslacht bewaard.

[@mjmart656]

Thank you so much for this. Very nicely done. I can’t wait to visit for myself. Gratitude for my ancestors.

[@ginatorres4434]

I LOVE the job you are doing. Thank you for let be part of It!!

[@Kalichar11]

Superb! I teach a college course on US immigration and plan to incorporate this video into it . Many, many thanks for the work you do.

[@malikanis27495]

Awesome historical videos thank you and keep going.

[@lidiadiazzi7097]

Impressionante! É uma viagem no tempo! Maravilhosa filmagem!🤩

[@NolaChinese]

7:48. Immigrants often arrived at Ellis with their entire families, young and old. While some had relatives that were already here, many had no idea what they would find in this country, and they brought everything they thought they would need to restart their lives. Some even tried to enter with farm animals. Imagine the anguish of the family that cannot leave Ellis because a child or elderly parent has been marked for medical observation or deportation. Ellis was in fact one of the best hospitals in the world, and some of the best physicians in the United States were trained there. But while many immigrants were treated and released, some died, and many were deported. Children were sometimes sent back to their relatives overseas, while their parents and siblings moved on without them. For more information, I recommend the documentary Island of Hope: Island of Tears on KZbin, which includes much of the same historic film used on Rick888's video.

[@talullahtheegyptianbaladyd4388]

Wat een prachtige, heldere beelden weer, je videos zijn altijd een kadootje!

[@ledrevonellyledrevo606]

Merci, vraiment intéressant pour moi,car mes arrières grands parents étaient immigrés aux Etats Unis,il sont passés à Ellis Island en 1911, merci à vous pour ce document,beau travail 👏

[@Fulvia-L.]

Stupendo! Grazie mille per questo bellissimo video

[@CJCody2006]

The two main shipping companies in Germany were Hamburg Amerika and North German Lloyd. Up until WWI most of their ships had steerage accommodations in open berths. They were provided very little space both above and below decks, food and sanitation were bad, and the crew were not very kind

[@khalilzayat3160]

These people had immense internal power and courage. They left their life in Europe behind forever to start a new life and archieve their dreams in the land of the future, the United States of America. They are the ones who built the nation and made it the greatest country in human history. Sad to see how many Americans today, despite having ancestors who came to the US at Ellis Island, look at immigrants in a bad way…

[@Rick88888888]

I hear what you say, but my impression is that many of them had nothing to lose. Anything that was better than huge poverty, diseases, exploitation, wars etc. would be a step forward for them.

[@scottnyc6572]

My grandparents immigrated from Canada in the early 20th Century however were processed through Boston.They did have to go to Ellis Island later for finalizations.

[@MillerMeteor74]

So this shows what it was like for my grandfather, when he came through Ellis Island in 1911. He got married 6 years later, and 5 years after that he and his first wife bought a farm, in cash. So he experienced the American Dream.

[@abosalemalansari8312]

Amazing, life between the era of 1892 and the First World War .

[@thegreatest3371]

People were very respectful of America, now they just sneak in.

[@trevortaylor5501]

Fascinating.

[@Hardbass87]

Amazing video, always feels special to look at video's from long ago.

[@rarry_rarry]

Just here to honour my family, the DAIDONE family from Monte San Giuliano. Some of its members traveled to America in the 1910s and the 1920s. I hope their families are safe and happy now.

[@scottnyc6572]

Extraordinary moments caught in time when moving pictures were unheard of.You can see the curiosity on the immigrants faces along with the test of time.We can clearly see who were of the more well to do and who weren’t but a smile from both nevertheless.This should be a part of historical lessons in educational institutions today.Unfortunately it’s history they’ve been hiding and attempting to change instead.

[@ninisina8569]

we continue to see similar images today..humanity does not learn from history..if there is enough food..safe shelter..equality..human rights..peace in the world who would prefer to leave their country???

[@Wattwandererspuren]

I was there in 1996 and really found traces of my ancestors there on Ellis Island

[@canamdennis6829]

They look so happy to be arriving in the 🇺🇸

[@fromthethrone]

I they only new into what will USA turn. I'm sure their descendats now regret that decision.

[@jamieh8101]

@@fromthethrone there is still much good in America! It is likely my ancestors would not have survived had they stayed in Hungary & Germany. We seek to bring honor to our family members who sacrificed so much to get to the U.S. and are forever grateful for their resilient souls. 🙏🏻

[@fromthethrone]

@@jamieh8101 Unfortunattely it has turned into the opposite to what was supposed to be. I was there not long ago and all I saw was egoism, insensitivity, repression and governmental squeezing people to the point of helplessness and homelessness. Everything is set up just to take the money out of people's pockets, they are always giulty even if they are not, corruption, the constitution is just on the paper, sad sad country

[@khaterehlunden5136]

Thank you very much Nice movie

[@user-zq4rh3bj2x]

Egyptian here. Hoping to one day have their smiles when I make my dream come true by immigrating to the US

[@maureenjohnston6578]

Hi Rick. This is wonderful. I had some interesting discussions with my residents in memory care. One lady stated that her mother was sent back twice due to a cold. We really feel we step back in time with your videos. It is terrific to see my residents so engaged in a topic. One resident stated, "This guy is amazing" when asked if he enjoyed your work. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I subscribed to your other channel as well.

[@Rick88888888]

Thank you very much. I'm pleased you all enjoyed it!

[@SCORPIOPUCELA]

Amazing as usual!! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@OofusTwillip]

It wasn't much better at the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the entry point to Canada. from Europe. My maternal great-grandparents and paternal grandparents all emigrated to Canada via Halifax.

[@annefl3423]

Very interesting! Did you already post the follow up, or will you do that later? And will it all be in a play list? Thank you for your work, it is fascinating to see all the restaured footage.

[@Rick88888888]

No, sorry. I have not yet come round to doing that. But I haven't forgotten it! Finding suitable footage is the main challenge/

[@michaelroark3263]

Very very well done. Thank you.

[@Rick88888888]

Many thanks!

[@zography2786]

I just found this channel. What’s the backstory is Rick a time traveler or something?

[@philiphaigh8349]

Thank you x

[@Julia-lm5hg]

Thank you 💖

[@marieboutin9054]

A very beautiful and interesting video about the immigration in the US. Most of the immigrants came from Eastern Europe. It is amazing to see all these people and all they went through, passing the immigration counter at Ellis island and having to go through a medical test, bear in mind after a long journey crossing the Atlantic Ocean. These people were really courageous. Most of them settled in South Manhattan in basements and made a living in textiles, garments. I have been to New York and I have visited Greenwich village. Their story is very interesting.

[@patysays9510]

Ellis island was not an infamous place of dread. They treated these immigrants with compassion and proper treatment. They had to set standards for admission particularly in diseases of the time

[@pereiraplaza222]

So they needed the proof of vaccination or pcr test to enter the country 😜

[@waitaminute2015]

My father was given a banana, which he'd never seen, and thought it was the greatest thing he'd ever eaten! Only fond memories of reaching the US even though the journey was rough.

[@kristensorensen2219]

Thank you!!

[@CJCody2006]

I love how Roosevelt himself made efforts to curtail the abuse of immigrants by Ellis Island employees in 1901. I know at least 18 officials were fired during his initial efforts

[@susiewickham9990]

This is really interesting. I love it.

[@thegreatest3371]

These are our ancestors, the people who helped build America.

[@themaskedman221]

The period following the Civil War (before Ellis Island opened) and up until World War I, was indeed the most consequential period in US history. Arguably, what we now think of as 'America' wouldn't exist if it weren't for these European immigrants. I see you're in the foothills of the Adirondacks. I myself reside in the foothills of the Catskills, a fellow NY State resident.

[@Rick88888888]

Thank you very much. Just to comment that the composer of the great music, Trevor Kowalski, lives in these foothills. I am Dutch and live in The Netherlands.

[@themaskedman221]

@@Rick88888888 Oh okay. Yeah, I realized you may be different people after I sent the comment.

[@horror11]

yea how could it? european settlers and immigrants build america, north and south , the usa is in fact a european country in the sense that it is based on european greco-roman culture and christianity just like canada and australia and southamerica. all this nations are build by europeans and have a european culture, they are just far away but the culture is still the same.

[@carlcarlson1369]

Beautiful video thank you

[@Rick88888888]

Thank you too

[@kristensorensen2219]

$90 for 1st class or approximately $10k today. One way! First class were probably tourists.

[@SuperMoodyyy]

Rick je bent een held

[@thegreatest3371]

Some just put their clothes in a sheet. They came with almost nothing.

[@brunoa.lima2327]

In what year was this documentary produced?

[@Rick88888888]

21 August 2021

[@brunoa.lima2327]

@@Rick88888888 Ok, I thought it was old documentary.

[@Rick88888888]

@@brunoa.lima2327 I finished it over the weekend after having worked on it for a number of weeks (see the description). Most of the footage is from between 1905 and 1920.

[@michellevanderweegen7832]

A very important impression for that time

[@pasofino9583]

Reminds of these 1919 Australian immigrants descendent taking about their confederate culture in the south.

[@annesummers09]

Where is part 2?

[@Rick88888888]

I haven't made it yet, sorry!

[@lauriecfano]

Am I missing the follow up to this video?

[@Rick88888888]

No, it has not been made yet, sorry!

[@carolynnewyork6919]

But we really should watch an learn. hear is the begining of living the dream. Coming 2a new land, a new world. Not much money with babies in arms stand our forefathers. This is wonderful footage. Coming into newyorks, port of entry .the soil they walked on called freedom.

[@RGRGJKK]

Pura vida great documentary about american migration's history

[@Rick88888888]

Thank you very much. It was my first attempt as documentary maker.

[@helgazubiz1750]

Da non dimenticare❤😢

[@pereiraplaza222]

The strong ones are the ones that staid in Europe and to this day their decendants are still here working on the old continent.

[@SirLangsalot]

Watching it be destroyed by islamisation.

[@pereiraplaza222]

@@SirLangsalot True

[@antonishedsp2036]

amazing!

[@Rick88888888]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ummglick]

The more things change the more they remain the same

[@tbbpro2433]

Where is the second part?

[@Rick88888888]

Still not made yet, sorry!

[@tbbpro2433]

@@Rick88888888 ahh, I’ll be looking forward to it

[@ayubriskiyanto257]

From Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@Rick88888888]

Thanks. Watch my channel: A series in 7 parts about Indonesia during Dutch occupation in the 1930s is about to start in the coming weeks!

[@Red-Revolution708]

Yes very enjoyable.

[@greensage395]

Legal Processing is a Good thing....unlike the Illegal Activity of this Day!

[@chloebelle4923]

IF ONLY there were actual standards nowadays!

[@luuciusa]

And now ppl still come from all over the world but the sad part some ppl tell them go back from u come from. They forget they are same ppl as their grandparents

[@latishiabedwards1423]

Why were these Europeans so poor in their native country?

[@MateuszMM86]

0:51 "cukru" Czyżby jakiś polski sklep? Polish shop???

[@Ulnvtcydr]

I think Cukru might mean kitchen or something similar. Edit-seems it actually means sugar, in Polish.

[@user-zq4rh3bj2x]

Nice

[@danielj3010]

$30?! Count me in!!

[@amygalvin1799]

Brave

[@FORZAVIGORSENIGALLIA]

la mia bisnonna era nata in america nel 1904 i suoi genitori erano arrivati li nel 1902, alla fine nel 1929 é dovuta ritornare in italia per problemi economici visto che gli era morto il primo marito

[@simonacinghita7719]

Czechoslovakia and Poland didn't exist as sovereign countries before 1918.

[@lisap4251]

I find it to be very sad. The people that were on First class seating in the ship were let right out. But 2 & 3 glass were treated poorly. That is still going on today people are separated by class So did these people have it GOOD??

[@Rick88888888]

You are looking at this situation through today's eyes. That gives a distorted view of the situation a century ago. Try to investigate the reasons why many Europeans sought a new life in the US.

[@1jay288]

Что за страна ,где написано по русски и по ????

[@laurarosario733]

Oh I thought united state citizens were originally from there 😮cause the way some treat other immigrants is crazy .

[@queenoftenthousandmoons8864]

So all these people were Shipped Over here on boats and planes willingly an just a few hundred years before MELINATED people were hijacked unwillingly to come over here the exact same way make it make sense. Then why weren't they brought over here the exact same way😳

[@ufopilot840]

👍👍👍👍👍🇷🇺

[@EmpressTmalkiaZuri]

And our lands have not been the same since. A group of people invading our land but tell us we came from Africa on boats. Lmao. The truth in reverse is the weirdest thing to me. We are learning the facts on who is who, But carry on......

[@daequansmith215]

We see who the real foreigners are 😂

[@lottieri8866]

ciao

[@edgehodl4832]

9:19, imagine being denied access to usa after months on the boat. what did tjey do then? go back home?

[@Rick88888888]

Yes, they were deported back to Europe, as far as I know (often on the same ship as they came on). It seems not many were denied access to the USA (less than 5%).

[@susanarsoniadou]

Even to this day there are opportunities in the US. There are opportunities in Europe too, but they are for the privileged few.For example ,if you want to be a doctor but are poor you can...as long as your IQ is near genius..

[@Rick88888888]

As regards Europe: utter nonsense!