From all around the world, people were setting sail on ships bound for the new world. These immigrants; men women and children, originated from many different places. Most were from Europe, specifically from countries such as Italy, Germany, Russia, Britain, Canada, Sweden, and Ireland. An astounding number of Irish people immigrated to America during the mid 1800s. This mass wave of immigration was due to a Potato Blight in 1845. This blight caused a horrible famine throughout Ireland. During this period of time four million people left Ireland in search for a new life in America.
Ellis Island Officially opened its ports on January 1, 1892. Ships filled with hundreds of immigrants arrived daily for many years. The first official passenger registered into Ellis Island was a young Irish girl by the name of Annie Moore. Her and her two brothers, Anthony, and Phillip, left their home in Queens-town Ireland on December 20 1891 and arrived in the new world just twelve days later. Their parents were already living in New York at the time of their arrival.
Annie Moore was only fourteen years old, her brothers eleven and seven. Back in Ireland, there was limited religious freedom and most people were poor farmers, just like Annie's family. When she exited the ship that day, an officer handed her a $10 gold piece which was a gift to the first person off the ship. All three children were soon united with their parents. Today Annie is honored by two statues, one located in Queens-town and the other in what is now the Ellis Island Museum. Annie, just a young immigrant girl in search for a better life in America, is forever known as the face of Ellis Island and for all those immigrants that passed through then and even now.
Ellis Island Officially opened its ports on January 1, 1892. Ships filled with hundreds of immigrants arrived daily for many years. The first official passenger registered into Ellis Island was a young Irish girl by the name of Annie Moore. Her and her two brothers, Anthony, and Phillip, left their home in Queens-town Ireland on December 20 1891 and arrived in the new world just twelve days later. Their parents were already living in New York at the time of their arrival.
Annie Moore was only fourteen years old, her brothers eleven and seven. Back in Ireland, there was limited religious freedom and most people were poor farmers, just like Annie's family. When she exited the ship that day, an officer handed her a $10 gold piece which was a gift to the first person off the ship. All three children were soon united with their parents. Today Annie is honored by two statues, one located in Queens-town and the other in what is now the Ellis Island Museum. Annie, just a young immigrant girl in search for a better life in America, is forever known as the face of Ellis Island and for all those immigrants that passed through then and even now.