It was quite literally the gateway to America for decades. Through the years thousands of people from all over the world caught their first glimpse of freedom from its welcoming banks.

The travelers and immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island, New York, made their marks on the country from one coast to another and everywhere in between. They also left behind records at Ellis Island, proof of their arrival in the land of the free.

Fortunately for those on the trail of their ancestors’ history, those records have been made available to the public. In fact, finding them couldn’t be easier. A huge search engine is available online by logging onto Ellis Island.

Through the site those looking for information about their relatives will find a host of information. Searches on the site reveal the names of those who passed through Ellis’ processing centers and include such information as name, age, ethnicity, date, ship of travel and more.

Finding an ancestor’s name on a ship’s manifest from Ellis couldn’t be easier. All you need is the person’s name to begin narrowing the choices. If you have it, their age and year of birth can also help narrow the choices.

Should you know for a fact your ancestor came through Ellis, but can’t find a record of it, try an alternative spelling. Remember names often changed at Ellis from difficult to spell “foreign” names to more Americanized versions.

If you find your ancestor’s listing, the resulting information will likely include a copy of the ship’s actual manifest and possibly even a photograph of the ship they traveled on as well. To add to the importance of having a relative who passed through Ellis, the site also offers official copies of paperwork to bolster your genealogical research.

Having an ancestor that traveled through Ellis Island is a big deal. This major landmark was the place immigrants for decades came to begin their journey to become Americans. Although their long sea journey was over, the trip for these people was just beginning, and it continues today through their descendants, one of which just might be you.

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