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New Regime At Ellis Island

Commissioner Wallis and Immigrants at Ellis Island at Christmas

Commissioner Wallis and Immigrants at Ellis Island at Christmas

There was a time when immigrants got pretty much the same treatment as cattle, herded along from one inspection to another, kept standing in line for hours or waiting all day long in crowded, badly ventilated rooms, —which isn't at all the beet way to get a first impression.

But the future citizens in these photographs, detained at Ellis Island over a Sunday, are developing their new patriotism in advance under the stimulus of a popular concert out-of-doors. Five thousand immigrants a day is the average of arrivals at Ellis Wand now, material of enormous possibilities or dangers, according to the way in which Americanization is carried out.

From Ellis Island one can see the radiant statue of Liberty and the skyscrapers of New York piled like a dream city against the horizon. Rut more than the dream of a sweet land of liberty" is needed to make the immigrant into a good American.

The new Commissioner of Immigration has announced his intention of making the work at Ellis Island constitute a real contribution toward the Americanization of our immigrants. By showing them the best brand of United States courtesy and recognizing their need for individual consideration Commissioner Wallace hopes to make the incoming "foreigners" feel an interest and responsibility in America at the very start.

The Independent, "The New Regime at Ellis Island", No. 3736, Vol. 108, September 11, 1920, Independent Corporation, New York, P. 305

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The Folks Behind the GG Archives

The GG Archives is the work and passion of two people, Paul Gjenvick, a professional archivist, and Evelyne Gjenvick, a curator. Paul earned a Masters of Archival Studies - a terminal degree from Clayton State University in Georgia, where he studied under renowned archivist Richard Pearce-Moses. Our research into the RMS Laconia and SS Bergensfjord, the ships that brought two members of the Gjønvik family from Norway to the United States in the early 20th century, has helped us design our site for other genealogists. The extent of original materials at the GG Archives can be very beneficial when researching your family's migration from Europe.