Topic: Researching Your Family History — Immigration

• Prior to 1820: No record keeping was required
• starting in 1820: All passengers’ names were recorded on the ship’s passenger lists
• prior to 1855: No processing, passengers just walked off the ship
• 1855 to 1890: Castle Garden
• 1890 to 1891: Barge Office
• 1892 to 1897: Ellis Island
• 1897 to 1900: Barge Office (Ellis Island closed due to fire)
• 1900 to 1924: Ellis Island
• 1924 to 1954: Ellis Island (special cases only)

(source: steve morse.org)