Ellis Island, often considered the “Gateway to America,” holds a unique and poignant place in the history of U.S. immigration. Between 1892 and 1954, it was the primary federal immigration station, welcoming over 12 million immigrants to new opportunities and a new life. But what truly brings the human stories of Ellis Island to life are the captivating photographs taken by Augustus Sherman, the island’s Chief Registry Clerk from 1905 to 1914. Sherman used his camera to capture a vivid tapestry of faces, documenting the wide array of individuals from diverse origins.

Here are 19 stunning portraits:

Image Credit: PhotoJoiner.

Ready for travel and going north, south and west

The federal immigration station at Ellis Island opened its doors on January 1, 1892. Annie Moore, a 17-year-old Irish girl, was the first immigrant to be processed there.

By 1900, more than 100,000 people per year were entering through Ellis Island, and by the 1910s, that number swelled to over a million annually.

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Slovakian family

Sherman’s administrative role gave him a front-row seat to this procedure, and his photographs often document this process.

Image Credit: Library of Congress.

Immigrants being served a free meal at Ellis Island

Upon arrival, immigrants were subject to a series of medical and legal inspections. Doctors examined them for any signs of contagious diseases, while legal inspectors questioned them about their identities and intentions in America.

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Slovakian women

Sherman’s work offers invaluable historical and sociological insights. His photographs serve as a visual record of the clothes, customs, and ethnic diversity of early 20th-century immigrants, like these Slovakian women dressed in traditional clothes.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Russian Cossacks

These people came from diverse corners of the globe, including Greece, Scandinavia, Germany, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, and Algeria, among others. From the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the olive groves of the Mediterranean, they embarked on a perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a better life.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Romanian shepherds

One of the most striking features of Sherman’s collection is the fashion and traditional attire showcased. His photos preserve the ethnic clothing worn by people from various countries, offering a vivid portrayal of global traditions.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Mother and her two daughters from Zuid-Beveland, province of Zeeland, The Netherlands

His photos capture the unique sartorial choices of immigrants from all walks of life, including the stunning apparel of Dutch women. Adorned in intricately designed bonnets, embroidered garments, and clogs,

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Roma family

In the broader context of his work, each image becomes a vibrant narrative, offering a glimpse into the world the immigrants left behind

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Indigenous Sámi, Scandinavia

Among the multitude of ethnic groups captured through Sherman’s lens were the indigenous Sámi people, commonly known outside their homeland as Laplanders.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Sami children, possibly from Sweden

The presence of Sámi individuals on Ellis Island during the early 20th century also underscores the global reach of immigration during this period.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Greek-Orthodox priest

This photo of a Greek-Orthodox priest, clothed in ecclesiastical garments, exemplifies the religious diversity that Ellis Island welcomed.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Greek woman

Sherman’s camera frequently focused on immigrants from Europe, like this Greek woman.

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Guadeloupean woman

But his work wasn’t confined to European immigrants alone. He also photographed people from Africa, capturing Algerian men and women who arrived with dreams of breaking free from the shackles of colonial rule and economic hardship.

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Algerian man

Sherman’s photos also capture the often challenging conditions that the immigrants faced.

Image Credit: NYPL/FLickr.

Dutch children, 1905

Whether it was families split apart due to medical quarantines or children arriving alone, each photograph tells a story of hardship and perseverance. While the majority of immigrants were eventually approved for entry into the United States, about 2 percent were denied and sent back to their countries of origin.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

German stowaway

The reasons for denial were varied but typically centered around the individual’s health or potential to become a public charge. The emotional toll of this rejection was so great that Ellis Island earned nicknames like “The Island of Tears” and “Heartbreak Island.”

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Bavarian man

Despite the hardships, Ellis Island was also a place of reunion and new beginnings. The Kissing Post, a wooden column located outside the Registry Room, was a famous meeting point where newly arrived immigrants were greeted by waiting family members and friends. Often, these reunions were emotional affairs marked by tears, hugs, and kisses, symbolizing the end of a long, perilous journey and the start of a new life in America.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Dutch woman

The photographs taken by Chief Registry Clerk Augustus Sherman continue to be a poignant visual record of this significant chapter in American history, capturing the faces and emotions of those who sought to become part of the American story.

Image Credit: NYPL/Flickr.

Albanian soldier

Ellis Island closed its doors on on November 12, 1954, after years of declining use, largely attributed to changes in U.S. immigration policy and the advent of more advanced modes of transportation.

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Amazing photos show what immigration in America was really like 100 years ago