The Family History Center Ellis Island, also known as the American Family Immigration History Center (AFIHC), is located on the first floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
This is a valuable resource for family history researchers since over 65 million records for passengers arriving from 1820 to 1957 are available there.
The center allows visitors to log on to computers and search for names, beginning their journey of discovery into their family’s immigration history.
For a small fee, visitors can access passenger records of ships that landed at the Port of New York and purchase copies of these records and pictures of the ships.
The same information can also be accessed online for free at ellisisland.org.
Research assistants are also available to answer questions and help you with your search. Records, as always, are free to search online.
This History Center is open daily from 9.45 am to 4 pm (the last session starts at 3.30 p.m.).
What to See at the Family History Center
The AFIHC is famous for providing a unique opportunity for people to explore their family history and connect with their ancestors’ experiences as immigrants to the United States.
It has inspired millions to begin their genealogical journey and has become an essential stop for those tracing their family’s roots.
Below are the fascinating exhibits and immigrants’ repositories you can check out during your Family History Museum visit:
The Voyage: Ship Manifests
Manifests are digitized ditto images of the original historical documents.
They often include the passenger’s original name, age at arrival, occupation, previous residence, and information about who they were traveling with.
The People: Passenger Records
You can find a digitized copy of your passenger’s name, date of arrival, and age at the time of arrival.
You can also access over 65 million passenger arrival records for travelers entering through the Port of New York from 1820 to 1957.
Some passenger records are more detailed than others, but most include the name, age, date of arrival, ship name, nationality, birthplace, occupation, last residence abroad, and eventual destination.
Some even include details about how much luggage a passenger brought, how much money they carried, and where they remained on the ship.
Where to Begin Your Search
A name is all you need to get started, but more information will make your search much easier and more accurate.
If all you have to work with is a name — say, John Smith — you’ll be looking through hundreds of entries with no idea which John Smith is your great-grandfather.
Even rare names can yield hundreds of results.
We recommend gathering as much information as possible to prepare for your search and achieve the best results.
Did your relative have any travel companions? What was their hometown? When did they arrive in the United States?
This database can adjust for varied surname spellings, but knowing your passenger’s birth name will be useful if you suspect their family name has changed significantly.
The Vessel: Ship Information
This lets you purchase the images of some ships and expand the knowledge gained through your family history research.
Don’t miss the chance to visit the family history museum at Ellis Island! Then, board a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and enjoy this fantastic attraction!
Attend Customized Programs
The AFIHC can accommodate group visits with customized programs, such as personalized research for VIPs, tailored Q&A sessions, and commemorative gifts for guests.
Contents
FAQ
1. Can I search Ellis Island immigration records?
Yes, you can search for records. The National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island traces the movement of the people of America to tell a story of who they are as Americans.
Family history research can be conducted at the American Family Immigration History Center at Ellis Island (AFIHC), which is on the museum’s first floor.
2. Is Ellis Island still used as an immigration center?
Ellis Island opened in 1892 as an immigration station, which it continued to be for more than 60 years, and it finally closed in 1954.
Today, Ellis Island is both a museum and a memorial, comprising rich documents, exhibits, and artifacts visitors can explore.
The National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island forms an unmissable part of the Statue of Liberty tour, where people research their history.
3. What was Ellis Island’s role in American immigration?
Ellis Island was opened in 1892 as an immigration station. Until 1924, it was America’s largest and most active immigration station.
Immigration authorities used this place to process immigrants, and people used it to obtain permission to enter the United States.
After 1924, it was used primarily as a detention center for migrants.
4. Is Ellis Island included in the Statue of Liberty tour?
When you buy Statue of Liberty tickets, you don’t need to pay extra to visit Ellis Island Park and the National Immigration Museum.
They are included in your .
5. Where would family members meet each other on Ellis Island?
Family members would meet each other on Ellis Island at the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was the main processing area for immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, and it was here that families would often reunite after being separated during their journey to America.
6. What is Ellis Island Family History Day?
Every year on April 17th, National Ellis Island Family History Day encourages families to trace their ancestors and find family members who immigrated through Ellis Island.
7. How can you locate family records at Ellis Island?
The database is available in two locations: the Family History Center on Ellis Island and for free online through the Foundation’s website.
Visitors can begin their discoveries in one location, proceed to another, and share their findings with relatives and friends.
8. What percentage of people can trace their ancestors back to Ellis Island?
Interesting Fact: Today, more than 40% (over 100 million) of all living Americans may trace their ancestors back to Ellis Island.
Featured Image: NPS.com