What is the difference between Castle Garden and Ellis Island?
They are the same job in two buildings, forty years apart. Castle Garden was New York State's immigrant landing station, in the fort at the Battery in Manhattan, and processed arrivals from 1855 until the federal government took over immigration in 1890. After a short interval at the Barge Office, the federal station opened on Ellis Island in New York Harbor on 1 January 1892, and worked until 1954. Around eight million immigrants passed through Castle Garden; about twelve million through Ellis Island. For family research the practical difference is the paperwork: Castle Garden era lists are customs lists with thin detail, while Ellis Island era lists grow steadily richer, adding last residence, relatives and destinations.
Useful pages: Irish in USA · The Irish surnames map · Trace your Irish roots · Coming home · Irish around the world
Sources
- National Park Service: Ellis Island, Castle Garden and tracing immigrant ancestors, nps.gov
- National Archives and Records Administration (US): passenger lists, census clues and naturalization guidance, archives.gov
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