Hope lands on Ellis Island

ISSUE 68– STEVE KOVACS FUN WITH MAPS

DAILY FEATURE: By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (September 10, 2020) – In Issue 68 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps we take a look at arrival in America. . . back in the day.

Coming to the New World…

New York Harbor’s Ellis Island is nearly synonymous with immigration from the Old World.  About 12 million people passed through this immigrant inspection station between 1892 and 1954.

People came for hopes of a better future or to escape their presumed dark fate in their homelands.   Italians, Germans, Irish, Hungarians, Austrians, Russians, Polish, and so on.

Did any of your relatives pass through here?

Ellis Island’s rich history is well preserved and ready for your viewing since it opened as a museum 30 years ago today.   There one can learn about their ancestors passing through, learn about what characteristics did the inspectors look for when deciding on admission or deportation, and learn about name changes at the discretion of the inspectors.  Also, the view of New York City and the Statue of Liberty is excellent from the island. 

Here is a map of New York Harbor area by Marshall showing it as it was during 1776.  It is from a book detailing the life of George Washington.  Without his efforts and that of the other brave souls, we wouldn’t be talking about Ellis Island.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Click here to visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.