Ellis Island circa 1900
Ellis Island was the gateway for more than 12 million immigrants who passed through its doors seeking a better future in America, from 1892 to 1954. The rich tapestry of cultures and nationalities who entered the new world there are revealed in these timeless photos taken between 1902-1913.
The photographs, from the collection of William Williams, Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island from 1902-5 and 1909-13, have only been recently digitized and made available to the public by the New York Public Library. The portraits were made by Augustus Sherman and the photos of Ellis Island were taken by Edwin Levick.
Portraits (L) of a Guadeloupean woman and (R) of an Albanian soldier by Sherman, who worked as the Chief Registry Clerk at Ellis Island until his retirement in 1917.
By CBSNews.com Senior Photo Editor Radhika Chalasani
Ellis Island immigrants
Augustus Sherman had special access to his photography subjects at Ellis Island. The curators at The New York Public Library, which now houses the collection including Sherman's photos, believe that it is "likely that Sherman's elaborately costumed subjects were detainees, new immigrants held at Ellis Island for one reason or another."
According to the library, these immigrants were probably persuaded to put on "their best holiday finery or national dress" for their portraits.
Portrait of an Algerian man.
Ellis Island immigrants
The portraits by Sherman show the many faces of the immigrants who arrived in America during this momentous time for immigration, when the new world beckoned to those in the old with greater opportunity and freedom.
Close to 40 percent of all current American citizens are able to trace at least one ancestor to Ellis Island, according to History.com.
Portrait of a Hindoo (Hindu) boy.
Ellis Island immigrants
As the 1800s gave way to the early 1900s, America saw a massive migration of people from all walks of life and nationalities, many escaping economic and political instability or a lack of religious freedom.
The twin symbols of Ellis Island and Lady Liberty carrying a tablet with the inscription from Emma Lazurs' poem, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." are forever entwined in the nation's history as a land of immigrants and the world's melting pot.
Portrait of a Danish man.
Ellis Island immigrants
Looking into the eyes in the mostly somber portraits, one sees everything from trepidation, hope and confusion.
Portrait of three Dutch women.
Ellis Island immigrants
Sherman's photos were published in National Geographic in 1907, but then for decades hung anonymously in the headquarters of the Federal Immigration Service in Manhattan. The photos were only digitized in 2013 by The New York Public Library and then published on their website.
Portrait of a Bavarian man.
Ellis Island immigrants
Through the 1800s immigrants to the U.S. mostly came from Northern and Western Europe. At the turn of the century, an increasing number came from non-European countries, including Russia and Syria.
Portrait of Russian cossacks.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of three woman from Guadeloupe.
Ellis Island immigrants
It was only with the passage of the Immigrant Quota Act of 1921 and National Origins Act of 1924 that immigration slowed at Ellis Island.
Portrait of an Italian woman.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a gypsy family.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of two Dutch children.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a Ruthenian (Ukrainian) woman.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a Romanian shepherd.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a woman in a 'costume' from the west coast of Norway.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a German stowaway.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a Slovak woman and her two children.
Ellis Island immigrants
A group photo of newly-arrived immigrants in native costumes, some with turbans, some with fezzes.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a girl from Rattvik, Sweden.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a Greek palace guard.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a 'Sami woman from Finland' (Laplander).
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of an Italian woman.
Ellis Island immigrants
Portrait of a Turkish man.
Ellis Island
Commercial photographer Edwin Levick, who specialized in maritime subjects, took this view of an arriving boat docked in front of Ellis Island and others.
Most immigrants at the time came to America as new arrivals through New York Harbor.
Ellis Island immigrants
Immigrants seated on long benches in the Great Hall of the Ellis Island Immigration Station.
Ellis Island
A large dining hall, empty except for about ten members of the dining hall staff.
Each place settings consists of a worn porcelain-enameled plate, fork and knife.
Ellis Island
Immigrants undergoing a medical examination.
Ellis Island immigrants
The pens at Ellis Island, Registry Room (or Great Hall). These people have passed the first 'mental' inspection.
Ellis Island immigrants
Immigrants with baggage lined up at tellers' windows.
Ellis Island
A private interview between a young immigrant and an Ellis Island official. Two staff members are also present.
Ellis Island
Immigrants being registered at one end of the Main Hall, U.S. immigration station.
Ellis Island
People who have 'passed' and are waiting to be taken off Ellis Island.
Ellis Island
A derby-topped gentleman observes the harbor from the observation roof on a wing of the Immigration Station, 1913.
The man may, in fact, be William Williams, Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island from 1902-5 and 1909-13, from whose estate these photographs came.
The New York skyline, showing the nearly-completed Woolworth Building tower, is at left.
The complete set of photos is available on Flickr.