Encyclopedia of Ellis Island

Ellis Island must have as high a degree of historical significance in a small area as any island in the world. Across its 27 acres (nearly nine‐tenths artificially created) have passed, between 1892 and 1954), 16 million immigrants to the USA; it is estimated that a quarter of the country's population has an ancestor in that number. Fourteen thousand babies were born while their parents were awaiting admission; 3,000 prospective immigrants died there before they could be accepted; 600,000 were turned away altogether. Among famous Americans who arrived there were Isaac Asimov, Irving Berlin, Frank Capra, Bob Hope, Al Jolson,...