Many people have heard of Ellis Island but really do not understand what it really is and the role that it plays in our history. It was opened on January 1, 1892, and ended up becoming the United States main federal immigration station. It closed down around the year 1954 and did see and process over 12 million immigrants. This country saw most of its settlers come through this small island at one time or another. It is also said that over 40% of this country’s current residents can trace their ancestors and start here through this island.

In 1990 a museum honoring the island opened there. This can be a great place to visit and look into how history truly changed for this nation through the small island.

The American Family Immigration History Center also calls this island home. They can trace the over 25 million visitors to the island from the years of 1892 to 1924. For those that want to know more about their family history, this can actually be a great place to start. The center has be a good way for families needing to fill in missing pieces of their family trees to do so.