Ellis Island: Gateway to the American Dream

[@ottergreen8190]

I still have the original Ellis Island ink and stamp documents from the first person in my family to immigrate to the US in 1920.

[@spritemon98]

Wow.. that's an amazing family heirloom to have

[@jannettb7930]

That is so cool!!!

[@keithp6699]

Nice one. My great grandmother and her family emigrated to the US from Ireland via Ellis Island when she was a teenager/young adult and she settled there for a few years and was engaged and everything. Then a few years later she decided to go back to Ireland on holiday and never returned. Some of her family never spoke to her again because of it.

[@bossyheifer]

Last March when I visited New York, the main thing I wanted to do was visit Ellis Island knowing I'd had relatives that came through it. It's both fascinating and sad. The amount of "inspection" people had to go through was impressive on some levels considering the time, they had a station to test your literacy where they would have you draw a certain shape and how you drew it told them how literate you were. It's definitely a worthwhile tour for anyone interested in not only the history of the processing center but also the establishment of different groups in different cities and how this helped grow New York (and other places like Chicago) into highly culturally diverse areas.

[@pathallahan3016]

Pier 21 National Historic site in Halifax, Nova Scotia is the Canadian version of Ellis Island. Not sure of it would be a popular choice for a video, but if you're interested in Ellis Island, it's worth checking out.

[@nicholaslewis8594]

I was born in Halifax. The city would probably make a good Geographics.

[@gizmofire]

Looks like a interesting place. My family was here before America was a country.

[@busnello1987]

hey Simon can we hope for a GEOGRAPHICS from the silk road?

[@benmaillet7326]

YES YES YES (With a nod to the modern one as well!)

[@drew-shourd]

...me likie that idea B.B....

[@brady_boi]

What about the great wall?

[@amb163]

I've been to Ellis Island. It's was both overwhelmingly hopeful in parts, as well as devastatingly heartbreaking in others.

[@acepilot1]

My Mother was one of the last to immigrate there on her ship from Germany

[@johnnysays9629]

Thats awesome. My great grandmother came from Scotland when she was little. Best story tellers of the country are immigrants that remember the trip.

[@acepilot1]

Johnny Says indeed

[@johnnysays9629]

@@Linwinky in the early 20s i believe.

[@acepilot1]

Post WWII In the 50’s

[@SpitfireMLG]

@@acepilot1 operation paper clip? Lol

[@pandorasbox4238]

Bob Hope at a USO performance - "I've got sand in places I didn't know I know I had places."

[@gaylemc2692]

He was one in a trillion. I laughed so hard when I heard that, his delivery funny in itself.

[@PhoenyxAshe]

@@gaylemc2692 He was. He had a book come out in the '70s, and I remember standing in line with my mother and grandmother to get it signed. I think I was... nine? Somewhere around there. At the last minute, for some reason, I was the only one of the three of us to go forward to get it signed. Afterward my mother and grandmother asked me repeatedly what I had said to the man... and for the life of me, I could not remember saying _anything_. But I must have said something amusing, because apparently he laughed quite heartily as he signed the book.

[@BigBones2109]

I'm not a descendant of an immigrant who came through Ellis Island, my Father's family came from France via Canada and my Mother's ancestors came from Ireland to help build the Erie Canal. I do however, appreciate the hardship and uncertainty that many of the people whose first stop in the new world was Ellis Island, without them America wouldn't be what it is today.

[@stephaniewright898]

Me too, not Ireland though, Scottland.

[@bnbcraft6666]

My ancestors came from Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and England in the late 1700's

[@donnadouglas1883]

My family also came from France to Canada...the Tatro's

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

You mean it would be crime free? And Idaho wouldn’t need to grow so many potatoes? Kidding lol I couldn’t resist the urge for a little immigrant humour lol

[@bigsprucerabbitry6238]

I wander if we are related ;-) - my family too came through French Canada and end up on west coast and Alaska with lots of back and forth over the Canadian boarder.

[@tommyhallum2054]

I love how at the end of your immigration video you casually say and that's what "made America great" And I love the shade that you throw even though some won't get it.

[@plathoven6240]

I took my then 10 year old daughter to Ellis Island in the late 80's. We still talk of that trip as one of the most moving experiences we have ever had. If you are in NYC, go if you can. You will not regret the time you spend there.

[@paulscrevane]

When my grandmother came through there from Ireland, it was her parents and her TWENTY siblings. Hearing how hard it was to actually get approved for entry adds a whole new level of appreciation for what she and the rest of her family went through. Thanks for the history lesson!

[@0799qwertzuiop]

Back then it was way easier to get approved than it is today.

[@CologneCarter]

@@0799qwertzuiop Maybe though. But a family being so lucky to have all twenty kids being accepted as healthy and fit to work some day is pretty damn lucky back in the day.

[@nfcapps]

Wow twenty kids that they kept well. Great job.

[@chloekit4861]

My great great grandmother in Galway Ireland had 31 kids! Irish were fertile as fck

[@themaskedman221]

@@0799qwertzuiop You might want to reread the history there. The number of immigrants denied entry at Ellis Island was large enough to where it became known as 'the island of tears'.

[@Friggle_Dee]

All 4 of my great grandparents made it through Ellis Island. 2 Daigos, 1 Limey, 1 Mick. Both great- grandfathers ended up being NYC Firefighters (Different Companies). Both families had a plethora of children. Both my grandfathers fought in WW2. 1 in the Pacific, 1 in Europe.

[@Cereal_Killer007]

Great family history...After I read that I said " coooool" out loud...LoL. Your great grandfathers sound freaken awesome so far...Hard working bad asses

[@paulfrench7356]

your a true american

[@Friggle_Dee]

@A.C. B. ART "Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior innnnntellect and education"

[@Friggle_Dee]

@@paulfrench7356 Thanks man. Im sure there are many families with similar backgrounds. Ellis Island is a cool spot to visit. If you haven't been there make a point to go.

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

"On the first day of January, 1892. They opened Ellis Island and they let the people through And the first to cross the Threshold, of that isle of hope and tears Was Annie Moore from Ireland, who was only 15 years"

[@owenfink]

I visited Ellis Island in November 2017. What cannot be underestimated is the scale of the museum, and therefore the amount of information to be viewed on plaques, display cases, through their mini-documentaries and the guided audio tour. My two friends and I spent close to 2 hours there, with a rather lengthy ferry ride there and back, and there was a lot we did not get to see. For anyone wanting to visit, I'd recommend packing a lunch, taking the morning ferry, and plan to make it the day's main event. I'd really like to return to take the tour in the non-renovated section of the island, as although the museum may share characteristics with the original building, it's fresh coat of paint and other tourist-friendly don't really convey the reality of the building's history.

[@gaylemc2692]

Your words brought my imagination alive. Thank you

[@steverossini]

My great grandparents with their youngest son came to America from Italy in 1909. They made their way to Northern Minnesota so my great grandfather could work in the iron ore mines. In 1947 my Romanian grandmother came to the US with my soldier grandfather. She said seeing the Statue of Liberty filled her full of hope after just leaving her war ravaged home country.

[@chrisworthen1538]

One of my great grandfathers came over in 1909 from Calabria to work in the Pennsylvania coal mines.

[@jo-vf8jx]

Steve Rossini do you still have family in MN? That’s where my great grandparents ended up too. One set near St. Cloud and the other set way way up north in Babbitt.

[@The_Daily_Tomato]

Even though I've never been to Ellis island I share a bit of history with it. My great great grandfather had bought a ticket to the US that was bound to Ellis island. When he was about to board his ship the woman he loved said she couldn't do it. He tried to persuade her to come but she could not leave her family and home. For the sake of his girl he stayed. Had it not been for that one moment, my entire family would not be here.

[@themaskedman221]

Dang, that got to me.

[@tungsten2009]

where do you come from?

[@Heyitsaddie23]

I love it when you use calmer music during the parts inbetween sections, since I typically watch before falling asleep! :) Love the content as always! This was a great video.

[@ferociousgumby]

I love the fact there's no music behind the narration! Some of his other channels have this annoying quiet but obnoxious same 2 or 3 bars playing over and over in an endless loop. Sounds like a tiny orchestra of rubber bands. I wonder why so many KZbinrs insist on this garbage, when you listen to something like this and realize it is MUCH BETTER without any music at all.

[@ashlabs1778]

My grandmother on my mothers side came over in 1908 with her husband - they were 13/16 respectively from Scotland and got a land grant in Alabama to be farmers. Back then you had to live on the land and work it for 5 years before it was legally yours. It is still in the family and she lived to 101. Grandfather passed at 89. She had 12 children but only 8 made it to adulthood. She all told us what it was like and she was terrified they might be turned away as tuberculosis was common for the Scots coming over.

[@nfcapps]

The homestead act. My family has a homestead property as well. It's in Wyoming. 1889 baby. My grandmother is 95 and technically still owns it. Her grandfather homesteaded it.

[@bla2220]

In the early 1990s. It was right after desert Storm. We had been overseas for over a year. Even though only one guy in my entire unit grew up in New York. When we passed Lady Liberty, we all knew we were home.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:55 - Chapter 1 - Oysters, Pirates & Gunpowder 5:05 - Chapter 2 - Founding the immigration station 10:30 - Chapter 3 - Coming to ellis island 15:05 - Chapter 4 - The people of ellis island 19:00 - Chapter 5 - From annie to arne 21:00 - Chapter 6 - Ellis island today

[@Steve-Riverwood]

I love this qoute "spare a thought for the millions of workers who landed in search of a better life and made America great" Immigrants made America great, now they are being blamed for America not being great.

[@nathanhiggins1438]

No they're not. That's a cartoon version of what people think. No wonder people think they're superior...everyone who disagrees with them is made of straw.

[@jamesback8024]

"May mix up your suname with your hometown..." That happened to my grandfather from Italy!!! HE Went through Elis Island as a 16 year old kid :)

[@Friggle_Dee]

Its why Palermo is such a popular name. Its the capital of Sicily.

[@hannayoung9657]

They misspelled my families name, Sjödin became schoedin or Sheedin or Sjoedean... same family 3 surnames.

[@ES-fr3yz]

Vito Corleone?

[@Samm815]

I mean, a lot of people didn't have surnames depending on where you were from.

[@cougarhunter33]

@@ES-fr3yz Vyto Car-Le-On

[@theq4602]

So a channel about random things (today I found out) A channel about people a channel about places It seems that Simon really loves his nouns.

[@geographicstravel]

I love nouns.

[@mudgetheexpendable]

Coming into the Great Hall on the upper floor, the huge vaulted space opening out from the narrow hall leading up to it, is a truly glorious sight.

[@artdonovandesign]

Both sides of my Grandparents came through there. From Calabria, Italy on my mother's side and County Cork, Ireland on my father's side.

[@plinkitee]

"... made America great." I see what you did there. 😁🇺🇸

[@Delicious_J]

Some are ought to be reminded that in america

[@shaunlenton8865]

13:55 nice 'The Godfather' reference.......

[@Jason918114]

I thought he meant Danny DeVito.

[@zorbratron]

I would like to see a video for how Australian imigration went during the same time. My parents were immigrants.

[@laurahadley2146]

Never expected a Scooby-Doo reference!

[@davidsquall351]

My grandparents went through Ellis from Holland. I need to ask them more about it.

[@scottwhipple9347]

I live 2 hours north of the city and made my first visit to Ellis Island 3 years ago. The only thing missing from this video was the abandoned buildings on what I believe is the south side.

[@schwenk929]

I did some work there around 2005 when the Will Smith movie "Hitch" had its primer there and passed through those buildings on my way in and out . I believe they served as the hospital where immigrants were quarantined , mostly for small pox . They were not lighted , had a rat or two clattering about in the dark , and on the evenings when I was the last person off the island they were quite creepy. As best as I could tell they seemed to still be fell of the old beds sealed off with some tattered sheets of plastic. One day I had to dig two 4'×4'×4' holes on the great lawn and was treated with a lesson in history. When they expanded the island back in the day they used a lot of brick rubble as fill and I can attest to the fact that it had settled quite well . It took the better part of 9 hours to dig through it and that was just one hole.

[@Jonnyc448]

You guys should do an episode on Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. It’s a very cool city at the center of the start of the start of the French and Indian war. The steel factories were internationally renowned as one of the best. Love to see your spin on the city, keep up the great work!

[@StaticImage]

I Think My Dog Is a Cat Cincinnati is BETTER!!! ;-)

[@hectorsmommy1717]

I love Pittsburgh. I had to travel there several times for work and fell in love with it. My ancestors were in the area (settled just outside Mauch Chunk in the 1750's). My 4 times great grandfather lost his entire family to an Indian raid during the French and Indian War. He had a second family with just 2 sons and I am descended from the second. He is also credited with discovering anthracite coal.

[@Jonnyc448]

@StaticImage Steelers are better than Bengals my guy

[@admiralsquatbar127]

And it's the home of Rocky Balboa.

[@morrigan191]

I'm still laughing at the surprise oyster in the first few minutes...

[@AvoidTheCadaver]

Helloooo

[@Al3xtheMeh]

I visited the island when I was twelve. I took the audio tour yet I don’t remember anything about it being used as a detention center during wartime.

[@ScoobyShotU]

Yeah I doubt at 12 they're giving you all the details you wouldnt care or even take it all in but just my opinion.

[@jimbrewer498]

@@ScoobyShotU : Yeah, my thoughts as well.

[@Ruby321123]

A lot of people in a lot of places glaze over or omit the parts of history they're not proud of - especially when they're better known for something else.

[@jimbrewer498]

@@Ruby321123 : So true Ruby, so very, very true. I believe it was Spanish philosopher George Santayana who said "Those who don't remember the past are condemned to re live it. Remember to "never forget"! Simon Wiesenthal (sp?)

[@jeff__w]

A trip to Ellis Island is surprisingly inspiring! While immigrants were subjected to a medical inspection, as the video says, the number of people rejected was low, about 2% (and you could appeal the rejection)-most people, about 80%, went through the process in a few hours. And there was no paperwork-at the peak of immigration in 1907, passports were not in existence-inspectors were matching the person’s name against the ship’s manifest, nothing more. Interpreters, who had to pass a federal civil service exam in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension, were on hand-the common languages were Italian, Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak, German, Yiddish, French, Greek, Hungarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbo-Croatian, Romanian, Swedish, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Czech, Spanish, Armenian, Arabic, Dutch, Norwegian and Chinese. Later NYC mayor Fiorello LaGuardia worked at Ellis Island as an interpreter certified for Italian, German, Yiddish and Croatian from 1907 to 1910. It was, for the most part, a very humane process, unlike what happened on the West Coast at Angel Island.

[@velosiped135]

I'm from L.A. and didn't make it to NYC until my 40th year, but everyone really should see the Statue of Liberty. It is absolutely striking up close, and no photo or video has ever done it justice. Thanks France!

[@acepilot1]

It’s raining heavy facts from hurricane Simon on KZbin right now

[@hungrysoles]

I've been to Ellis Island twice. I was very moved by the experience and had tears in my eyes thinking of the struggles the immigrants went through, which included my maternal grandmother's parents and her older brother and sister. I was able to get copies of the actual records of them coming through there. I'm very proud that my family was part of the heritage of Ellis Island.

[@kevinmeyer6427]

Do Red Rocks Amphitheatre

[@phyllisdicks9830]

Absolutely one of the best of the Geographics videos. Utterly fascinating.

[@IntegrityRC]

I wish I had more information on my family from when they came through Ellis Island from Italy. Sadly, it seems as though my family didn't find talking about or passing on most of this information was worth doing. But maybe I can go back to New York one day and find some written information. Sadly, there isn't any one left alive I could ask.

[@hiVanderLinden]

I would also recommend using a genealogy website which can help you using birth & death records as those are public information! There is so much info out there if you look for it

[@resileaf9501]

The retelling of the path immigrants have to take in the immigration center was the highlight of the video. Absolutely fascinating experience. The huge elephant glaring at you with a fedora and a tommy gun was the funniest line.

[@madsgotmoves24]

My Hungarian great-grandpa came through Ellis Island in 1921, with my great-grandma and then-infant great aunt following in 1923. They met up with my great-grandpa in Indiana where he was working in the Studebaker factory. Can't wait to visit here one day and see it in person. Great video!

[@matiasgazzarri4959]

You should also do Angel Island, very different place

[@y.p.4490]

what's different about it?

[@digapygmy70]

When I was in 6th grade, my entire class had to do an Ellis Island project, where we got assigned characters immigrating to the US, then turned the library into the immigration center, where we went through all the steps you listed in the video. Little me though, I was so dedicated to my character, I brought all this crap I thought she would have, and I wrapped it up in a blanket because I figured she wouldn't own a suitcase? Anyway, it was a miserable experience, so hot, standing in line all day, my bag just kept getting heavier and heavier. And in that aspect, it was a very authentic Ellis Island experience. Funny thing is, only one of my ancestors did come through Ellis Island, my family first arrived in the 1600s!

[@stevecannon1774]

what a nice sweater you're wearing Simon. When I lived in San Francisco, I worse lots of sweaters, then I moved to Puerto Rico and never needed one. Now, living in Tucson, AZ, I only need one about 1 week a year. The warm weather here is getting warmer every winter along with the decreasing rainfall. It's November and I am still wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts. Occasionally, I wear sweat pants or a sweat shirt and about one week a year, I need a coat and need to wear my jeans. When I lived in the Bay Area, we went to Angel Island, the West Coast Ellis Island with lots of history as well. It is the port where most of the Asian newcomers were processed (as well as others) .. The history you can see there is wonderful and the island is absolutely beautiful.

[@PHXDOG]

My Great Grandma age 11 in 1911 came through ellis island Ziegler, Anna from Merczifalva, Hungary on a ship named Amerika. SHe came the US legally not sneaking over, paid her dues along with her mother and siblings, learned English and became a U.S. Citizen in 1942.

[@nobodyspecial3123]

My great great great grandfather was a dutchman that came over and ended up on Ellis Island. From what I understand they sent his wife and son back for having "consumption". However being the dingbat my Ormerod's still continue being to this day, he stayed on and remarried and ended up having the American side of the family here in the US. Thing I could never wrap my head around is how my ancestors went from Ellis Island to Warwick Rhode Island. That is a bit far away when you supposedly came over with the clothes on your back and not enough money for transportation. On my fathers side my families only claim to fame is their ability to work themselves into a stupor. Which was a good thing back then. All I know about my mothers side of the family is we are french Canadian. They come from a long line of farmers and from what I hear they basically walked over the boarder to get to the US. Much past that the story runs dry because there was so much my Memere was not willing to discuss. Something really bad happened when she was a young child involving her brother and her. Whenever you asked her about her family all she'd ever say is "I'll go to my grave with what my brother did" I know for a while he was pretending to be in the military and his mother was supporting his life in anyway she could....including making my 7 year old memere work. Nobody will say what she was working as. Because of all the secrets long dead family members decided to keep I can't do a family history back further than 2 generations. Hell I only found out my memere had a brother 2 years after her death.

[@Samm815]

3 out of four of my mom's grandparents came through there from Italy. Along with their entire families. Except for great-grandad who came in via New Orleans... by himself. My grandad eventually met one of his cousins who said his dad had been estranged from the family.

[@matthew.datcher]

I had the opportunity to visit Ellis Island on a school trip to New York City. While my classmates were excited about it and talked about their familial connections to the facility, it meant nothing to me. First, my ancestors were already established in the US long before the immigration center opened. Second, my ancestors didn't arrive willingly since they were slaves.

[@Jen39x]

Matthew Datcher I hope your older now and can see that your families and those from Europe both shaped who we are as a society. Both groups need to learn the others stories because knowing the past can help influence the future but also it should enrich your experience of life.

[@joannivaldi2106]

Thank you, Simon, the video was excellent! It feels good to hear a non-American appreciate and commemorate the struggles to legally immigrate back then and to happily assimilate and work hard to achieve the American Dream. America has it's flaws, no doubt, but people with dreams and ideas can make anything happen here.

[@elianahadar]

When my family and I were there we found the name of our great grandfather. It was an astounding moment! My father had imigrated out of the USA though.

[@bnbcraft6666]

I don't know of any of my ancestors hailing from there, most of my ancestors immigrated to America from Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and England in the mid to late 1700's

[@visi7754]

Smiles ~ Eurythmics! Ahh - Sweet Dreams plus Dream On. Xxx

[@tenhirankei]

You couldn't use We're Coming to America by Neil Diamond?

[@TheHoagie13]

20:41 *I KNEW you'd mention Arne Pedersen ("Peterson") in this video!!! Arne is my Great Grandfather's Cousin on his Father's side...* NO I SHIT YOU NOT!!! My surname WOULD BE Pedersen (NOW it's "Haugland/ho-gland"), however, my Great Grandfather Died August 1941 in WWII shipping his "non-aryan" neighbors to safety across Europe. He was 27... Befitting for a rockstar like him that he'd be amongst the 27 Club....

[@m.a.mehalick0910]

My great-grandfather came through Ellis Island in 1914. From Annow, Poland, to the port of Hamburg, then to Ellis Island. They changed his name from Andrej Mihilek to Andrew Mehalick. You can buy a reprints of boat manifests from them.

[@ianmoore3470]

While I do appreciate the mention of Bruce Springsteen. I think it’s important to point out the Ellis island and lady liberty was and still is in New Jersey

[@danaitch4095]

Both sets of maternal Great-Grand Parents came through Ellis Island. Austria, Germany, Poland & Lithuania in the late 1890's. One Granddad was a cobbler, the other a furniture maker. Both settled outside Chicago. Now the paternal side has been an effort, looks like one side came over via Canada and settled first in Michigan, Great-Great-Grandfather served in the civil war, the other side also came through Ellis from Austria/Germany area.

[@MsAnimelady]

On my mother's side, my Jewish great-great grandfather came to America in 1889. His wife & 4 children (my great-grandfather was the youngest) arrived in 1891. Thanks for educating me that they were processed in the Castle Garden area of Ellis Island. On my father's side, my Danish great-grandfather also arrived at Ellis Island, probably during the period when a lot of Scandinavians came to America since I can't remember the exact year at this moment.

[@AndrewChilders]

Geographical should cover Angel Island, which could be called Ellis Island’s darker cousin. Of particular interest are the walls within the immigrant housing (barracks) featuring poems carved into the wood. On top of that, Cold War missiles, a fort system protecting San Francisco Bay entrance, and a rich history of Native Californians.

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

Bob Hope was born in England not far from where I was born roughly 60 years later. He was probably doing a USO show in Vietnam for the troops, one of which was my father. After my father’s tour in Vietnam was done he was stationed in England which is how I came to be born there of an English mother and an American father. Years later we moved to New York where my fathers family lived since his grandparents had come through Ellis island. Back in the 1980’s I met Mr Hope in Southern California and discovered we lived in the same neighbourhood, It’s a small world after all. Lol

[@RebelInTheF.D.G]

Normally wouldn't bother with a "share your story below", but I actually think my family's migration to the United States is decently interesting. Father's side was predominately Scandinavian, gradually migrated to the British Isles over time. Our name is mentioned as far back as the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror, and some records point to our presence during each sacking of Rome. My mother's side, the Bruce's, obviously have major ties to Scottish history. The very, very long and extraordinarily short side of it is that both sides of my family chose the wrong side of different civil wars and internal conflicts that led to us plummet from medieval high society to a loose collection of steel workers and tradesmen in the US around the latter half of the 1700's to the mid 1800's. We've participated in every US war since then and have consistently maintained our pride in not only our origins but our working class mentality and values, whether we obtain large quantities of wealth or not. We're a family of principles and honor, respect, loyalty and hard work and we're proud of that. Yes, we may at one point have been considered "high society", but our multi-generational learning process has taught us that that means absolutely nothing in the face of genuine hard work and stern adherence to proper, down to earth values. I, for one, am proud of that and am proud to be an American, as imperfect as we may be.

[@Damons-Old-Soul]

My great grandfather and his 9 brothers and their Father came through Ellis Island. I don't remember the date but I believe it was late 19th century. They came over from Ireland. Their descendents make up a large portion of the sir name Donnelly in the US today. When I visited the island 20 years ago or so, we were able to find them listed on the wall of names of immigrants who came through there. I only wish that more US citizens realized the significant changes to immigration policy made over the last century. Entirely too many claim their ancestors came through legally using the system and hate on those who are getting screwed over by the very BROKEN system that exists today.

[@frankmenchaca9993]

You missed Meyer Lansky, born in Russia. Later became a major player in the Mafia. Many other News from Russia became famous in Hollywood.

[@jabberdouche]

My great-grear grandfather came through there in 1898. His name was Adolf Ludwig. He had his 2 yr old son August. August went on to have my grandfather, then father ... now here I am watching KZbin. I actually found Adolf's entrance in a book on the Ellis Island website.

[@jeffganz2681]

My grandfather was 5 years old and he came there with his mother and brother, they could only speak Hebrew, Russian and Yiddish. From what my grandfather told me about it. It was not a good place but they made it out safely and together. They where able to meet their uncle. Who took them to his place and spent A few months waiting for their father to get there. Then they movie to Indiana.

[@newsfman2011]

I know that I'm coming late to this video, but I have to comment. I went to Ellis Island in 2000 because I'm a history buff and I thought it would be interesting. It was far more than that. As we got off the ferry, I remember telling my sister, "Imagine you're coming here with nothing and can't even speak the language and this huge building is the first thing you see." It was kind of awe-inspiring even to me. We were there for hours (You need to allow hours.) There are so many artifacts and displays. And, frankly, we just sat and absorbed the magnitude of what the place represented. There were lots of surprises, too. One that I remember well was coming around a corner to see a huge banner with a photo of a Japanese family and, being from Seattle, y first thought was "Why would you go the long way around?" So I learned something . I learned a lot. I highly recommend going - even though, as they announced on the ferry, you're not allowed to bring bicycles, skateboards or barbecues with you.

[@0ldFrittenfett]

I learned on QI, that the first thing you would see is not the Statue of Liberty but an elephant-shaped building on Coney Island that served as a brothel.

[@spraakkanon]

It must have been a dark, depressing situation arriving in a strange place on a rainy day/night with no money in your pocket, your few belongings in your hand and not knowing where and if you will be allowed entry + find shelter/food/work. It is arriving in an unknown rainy town while traveling and no hotel booked times ten thousand.

[@dvg1985]

My great grandpa, Vito Cinquepalmi came to America via Ellis Island from Bari, Italy. 🇮🇹

[@aliciakaffen3678]

Visiting Ellis Island was so much more emotional than I thought it would be. At least three of my great grandparents (possibly four) entered the US through Ellis Island and my grandpa's mom was born the year after her parents and siblings did the same. The mix of emotions they must have faced must have been overwhelming. Joy, relief, and hope after making it to a new country where they would be safer with better opportunities and at the same time worry for the friends and family they left behind and completely heartbroken not because they left (they were happy to escape the pogroms) but because they had to leave.

[@susanlucia1670]

How about a video about devil's island

[@zeusathena26]

Unless your Native American your ancestors came from somewhere else. Whether 1492, or last year they call came from somewhere else!

[@batboy-xf3ki]

Although my parents moved to the US from the UK in 1980, it was staggering to see my great great uncle's name in the registry on Ellis island. I was blessed to play with my high school concert band on the lawn in front of the immigration center in 1999

[@terrysaunders6479]

Mexico border, The new gateway. Just a thought. PS I am not against emigration.

[@aidanlavin8211]

Was there an Ellis Island for the west coast?

[@angelagoldsmith1]

Look up Angel Island, off the California coast.

[@StaticImage]

A much lighter video. Very nice. And, again, that ending line was just great. I appreciated this one quite a bit.

[@geographicstravel]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ericdavis7356]

Great episode, makes me a little jealous that my family came from French and English colonialism. Then again, we did tell the Brits to piss off and my love for Quebec.

[@notpurple]

i visited the museum... it was awesome! as in truly, awe-inspiring. amazing. a must see

[@davidhenderson5462]

Please do Transnistria.

[@willmcknight8332]

One of my ancestors went through Ellis, but was sent back to Ireland for being too drunk lol

[@GFSLombardo]

Read the book or watch the movie of Frank McCourts "Angelas Ashes". This actually happened....

[@MaegnasMw]

@Will Mcknight I believe being "too drunk" (one wonders what does that mean to an Irish person) is a requirement to being Irish - these guys can outdrink ANYONE!! :D

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you .

[@manahawkinhickjones6714]

Ellis Island is NEW JERSEY 609 Represent

[@DayZeroGaming]

Video starts at 1:44

[@joeyr7294]

Really enjoy the vids man, keep it up!!!

[@BardovBacchus]

I wonder how many immigrants came through the Port of New Orleans, like my great grandparents did...

[@Amy-bl8sp]

Mine too!

[@sack36]

When I was studying Computer Science (back when that meant main frames, not personal computers) I was told that one of the things Ellis Island produced was a sorter. The amount of information that was collected was so vast that it took many clerks and many hours to collect and sort. Mistakes were high as well. A clerk who worked there used his spare time to create a system that used cards with holes punched in them to improve the process. Clerks would ask questions with a/b/c type answers. They would punch a hole in the card corresponding to the answer given. The card only had 80 columns because anything more and the system wouldn't carry the card down a moving band. As the card moved, metal pins would pass over it. Wherever there was a hole, a connection was made and a device pushed that card out of line and into a hopper. They would pass these cards through for each question, thus getting a sort for each question. Now the 80 column card is important to this story because that card was used all the way up to the 1980's to program computers and to load data into the programs. I've been told there are still some troglodytes that still use them. Those 80 columns segued into the standard for data ever since. 8/16/32/64 Anyone who has spent time around a computer will recognize that progression. Having told you all this, I'd like to ask the people here: Does anyone else remember this?

[@SewolHoONCE]

Funny thing: I started with punch card computer programming in 1966, Language FORTRAN IV. I could actually read the punches in the card if it was not printed. Recently, the handlers for the Voyager deep space probes needed to make a course correction. The handlers advertised for FORTRAN IV programmers, the language in use when the probes were launched. The other language was COBOL. Social Security has been stable enough that COBOL is still running. The COVID-19 checks and deposits required reprogramming. COBOL programmers got called out of retirement. Do you also remember the first machine to be controlled by punch cards was the Jacardi loom?

[@πλούσιομετάλλιο]

The national average of my favourite kleftiko

[@TheLocalLt]

I saw the World Trade Center for the only time from Ellis Island when I was a kid in August 01. I asked my dad what those ugly buildings were. Fell in love with New York that weekend. Couldn’t believe what I was watching the next week, I was pretty much obsessed with 9/11 and the coverage of it as it was happening as a kid. Shaped my life in a lot of weird and different ways, undoubtedly changed me. And as such, sadly I associate Ellis island in my mind’s eye with 9/11, although at the same time connected with reverence for my Italian grandfather’s landing at Ellis island. That’s why my parents had originally brought me to Ellis Island in the first place back in 2001.

[@rampantlion3716]

My paternal grandfather came to America through Canada from Scotland, but I've known so many whose ancestors came through Ellis Island over the years. Joy and tears indeed. Well done! Great presentation! Thank you for the truthfulness!

[@davidkugel]

My great grandparents on my father's side came through Ellis Island in 1905 and 1906. The settled in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

[@natemiddleton4821]

They opened this island simply because it was this or hire ex slaves so you know...

[@Frank-mm2yp]

Basically it was the need for cheap labor in an industrializing and growing US economy that accounted for the great influx of immigrants to the USA. It certainly was not altruism or the milk of human kindness. The Native Americans were mostly on reservations far away in fly-over country. The former slaves and their families were not exactly encouraged to leave the Jim Crow South and head North,strictly for economic reasons. So lots of poor people were imported from Europe in the East and from Asia in the West. It was a"business decision".

[@jasonwomack4064]

All the branches of my family tree predate Ellis Island, but I still have always wanted to see it.

[@Jen39x]

Jason Womack It is worth it. One of our best National treasures. Go for a weekend and skip the rest of the city if you want!

[@WildStar2002]

Same, including Francis Cooke and his son John on the Mayflower.

[@ChestZeroeski]

Appreciate yer approach Simon Where would I submit suggestions for a future bio or two????

[@antoniolalmeida2366]

I am Antonio! WHAT A COINCIDENCE

[@AllDayBikes]

2:49 That Scooby-Doo reference!! I'm ashamed I only got that after like 15 seconds lol

[@jaegergroupracing]

Ellis Island was a imagination station on mostly doom not many immigrants succeeded.

[@Frank-mm2yp]

Whatever thy had to endure in the NEW WORLD was usually preferable to what they had in the OLD WORLD which was nothing. Measurement of "success" in the 21st century is a lot different from what was considered "success "in the 19th and early 20th centuries/

[@eileenbass952]

My grandad was Ellis Ireland.

[@ScoriacTears]

6:02 PAUSE Looks exactly like: The last straw was a speeding cart and a muddy puddle for Annie Moore and her youngest child.