Arrival

Most of the ships landed on the American east coast, where New York was the most important entry point, but other ports like Boston or Philadelphia were also possible. In the very early days of immigration New Orleans was another important gateway. From there, emigrants continued their travel up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers until they reached their Midwestern destination. As New York had to handle a large amount of incoming immigrants, special infrastructures to handle them had been set up. In Castle Garden immigrant officials noted down and checked the immigrants, European money could be changed into American currency and railway tickets could be purchased in order to pursue the voyage.

In the year 1892 Ellis Island in Upper New York Bay, about 1 mile southwest of Manhattan, was opened, through which emigrants had to pass before being allowed to disembark on the mainland.