Contrary to what some might have you believe, American identity can look like many things. These Ellis Island immigration photos prove it.
As a clerk at Ellis Island from 1892-1925, Augustus Sherman was in a unique position to document countless immigrants as they attempted to gain entrance into the United States.
The untrained photographer had an undeniable natural talent: Even with bulky cameras and the time-consuming exposure process they required, Sherman was able to take more than 200 photos — of subjects typically detained for interrogation — that reveal as much about the subjects’ fears as they do the diverse reality of our national heritage:
An Albanian soldier.
Some hopeful immigrants could be held on Ellis Island for days, or even weeks, before being approved or deported.
Some hopeful immigrants could be held on Ellis Island for days, or even weeks, before being approved or deported.
An Algerian man in traditional apparel.
Immigrants were given free meals upon arriving — in most cases introducing them to new foods such as bananas and ice cream.
Immigrants were given free meals upon arriving — in most cases introducing them to new foods such as bananas and ice cream.
Photo identified as 'Girl from the Kochersberg region near Strasbourg, Alsace" (circa 1905).
Wilhelm Schleich, a miner from Hohenpeissenberg, Bavaria (circa 1905).
Cossack man from the steppes of Russia.
With the U.S. attitude toward becoming increasingly negative, World War I marked the end of mass immigration to America.
With the U.S. attitude toward becoming increasingly negative, World War I marked the end of mass immigration to America.
Peter Meyer from Svendberg, Denmark, age 57. April 30, 1909.
Three Dutch protestant women identified as "Mother and her two daughters from Zuid-Beveland, province of Zeeland, The Netherlands" (circa 1905).
Identified as "Dutch siblings from the Island of Marken, holding religious tracts" (circa 1905).
Photo identified as "Protestant woman from Zuid-Beveland, province of Zeeland, The Netherlands."
Three women from Guadeloupe in fancy dress.
A tattooed German stowaway allegedly deported in May 1911.
Rev. Joseph Vasilon, a Greek-Orthodox priest (circa 1905).
A Greek evzone, which is a member of a light infantry unit in the Greek army.
A Greek woman in June 1909.
A Guadeloupean woman, 1911.
About 700 immigrants passed through on the very first day of Ellis Island’s operation, January 1, 1892.
About 700 immigrants passed through on the very first day of Ellis Island’s operation, January 1, 1892.
A Romani family. The Romani are sometimes referred to as Gypsies.
A young Italian woman. (circa 1906).
Eighty percent of immigrants were processed and approved in just a number of hours.
Eighty percent of immigrants were processed and approved in just a number of hours.
An Italian woman.
The highest number of immigrants to arrive on Ellis Island in a single day was 11,747, on April 17, 1907.
The highest number of immigrants to arrive on Ellis Island in a single day was 11,747, on April 17, 1907.
Swedish children in Lapland costume.
Originally titled "Swedish woman," the title was changed when it was noticed that the woman's clothing originated from the west coast of Norway.
A young Swedish girl from the Rattvik providence of Dalarna.
A Romanian immigrant poses with his instrument.
Romanian shepherd (circa 1906).
As opposed to wealthier arrivals, poor passengers were detained on the island for physical inspections and further legal questioning.
As opposed to wealthier arrivals, poor passengers were detained on the island for physical inspections and further legal questioning.
Two Romanian women.
Russian Cossacks, armed and in full dress.
A traditionally dressed Ruthenian woman, who would now be known as Ukrainian.
A Laplander woman from Finland (circa 1905).
Three young Scottish boys.
Captioned "Hungarian Gypsies all of whom were deported," this photo appeared in The New York Times on February 12, 1905.
Romanian shepherds, one proudly posing with his pipe.
A Slovak woman with her children.
To accommodate the dietary requirements of Jewish immigrants, a kosher kitchen was built in 1911.
To accommodate the dietary requirements of Jewish immigrants, a kosher kitchen was built in 1911.
Three Slovakian women.
It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of U.S. citizens can trace at least one ancestor back to Ellis Island.
It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of U.S. citizens can trace at least one ancestor back to Ellis Island.
Three Russian Cossacks.
Many famous people were processed at Ellis Island, including Charlie Chaplin, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, Charles Atlas, and Irving Berlin.
Many famous people were processed at Ellis Island, including Charlie Chaplin, Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, Charles Atlas, and Irving Berlin.
"Turkish bank guard John Postantzis, Feb 9, 1912."
The last person to pass through Ellis Island was a Norwegian merchant seaman by the name of Arne Peterssen in 1954.
The last person to pass through Ellis Island was a Norwegian merchant seaman by the name of Arne Peterssen in 1954.
A print of this image reads, "Thumbu Sammy, aged 17, Hindoo ex SS 'Adriatic', April 14, 1911."
All photos taken by Augustus Sherman (ca. 1905-1914)
Next, check out these chilling photos of American child labor in the early 20th century and striking photographs of people around the world at the turn of the 20th century.
