Ellis Island

During the 1900s, approximately 5,000–7,000 immigrants were processed on Ellis Island daily.

At Ellis Island, my father, who was not sick, had to leave the ship. He stood in long lines and officials asked him lots of questions about where he came from, what he did for a living back in Poland, and what his plans were in America. All newcomers had to answer those questions. Only then could you leave Ellis Island and take a ferry to New York — and finally set foot in America.

When the doctor examined me, he discovered I had a cold. He said I could not go with my father. I cried and begged. I was terrified to be all alone in this strange place.