MyHeritage adds 'significant' collection of Ellis Island Passenger Lists to its database

The records of thousands of people who travelled to Ellis Island between 1820-1957 have been added to the MyHeritage database.

The  Ellis Island and Other New York Passenger Lists 1820-1957 collection includes names, dates, countries of origin, addresses of family members and friends, occupations, and physical descriptions.

Records include individuals who arrived at three immigrant processing stations:

• Castle Garden (1855-1890)
• the Barge Office (1890-1892)
• Ellis Island (1892-1957)

Depending on the year, information recorded about a passenger may include name, age, gender, occupation, dates, destination, physical descriptions, and information regarding place of origin, e.g. native country, citizenship status, race, nationality, birthplace, or addresses of family members and friends.

While early passenger lists were single-page manifests and recorded minimal information about passengers, forms were standardised over time and additional questions added.

Many historical figures of interest are found among these records. German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein, arrived on October 17, 1933, traveling aboard the Westernland. Einstein remained in the US after learning the Nazis had confiscated his possessions. Also featured is British-born Charlie Chaplin who boarded the Oceanic, arriving at Ellis Island on October 10, 1912, at the age of 23.

How to access the records

Users with family trees on MyHeritage or those who upload a GEDCOM file will immediately benefit from Record Matching technology that automatically reveals new information about their ancestors who appear in these records.

Searching the Ellis Island and New York Passenger Lists collection is free. A subscription to MyHeritage is required to view records and scanned images, and to access Record Matches.

(image copyright Tuck DB Postcards)