Today’s Mystery Photo may prove difficult to locate, since there are few clues. Tell us where this piece is located and some of its background. Send your ideas to Elliott@brack.net and tell us where you live.
tew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville recognized the recent Mystery Photo: “It’s the Ellis Island registration hall. Three of my four Grandparents came through there. My grandfather, from Scotland, was brought over by John Wanamaker and became his Oriental Rug buyer. Back then, the rugs came with Bamboo poles in them for support. My father at an early age in the 1930’s pole vaulted with them and became one of the best vaulters in the country and he got a full scholarship to New York University back when they were an elite track and field team. Have not thought of that in years.”
George Graf of Palmyra, Va. raised a question after identifying the photo: “Is Ellis Island in New York or New Jersey? The short answer is yes to both states. Since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1998, Ellis Island, which is federal property, belongs within the territorial jurisdiction of both New York and New Jersey depending upon where you are. The Main Building, housing the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, is within the boundary of New York State. Since the island was expanded over many years to its current 27.5 acres, this expanded area is now mostly within the territory of New Jersey. First and foremost, the entire island remains federal property, as it has been since 1808.”
Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. added this: “Today’s mystery photo is of the Registration Room (aka the ‘Great Hall’) on Ellis Island where from 1892 to 1954, nearly 12 million immigrants arrived at the Port of New York and New Jersey and were processed there under federal law. While Ellis Island was the official entry point for immigrants to the United States, it wasn’t the first piece of American soil they encountered. The waters surrounding the island were too shallow for transatlantic ships to navigate, so most docked and unloaded their passengers in Manhattan.”
Sara Rawlins, Lawrenceville, wrote: “Today Ellis Island is now a museum and is used for people to do research of their Ancestors who went through this building looking for a better life.”Also pinpointing the photo was Dan Mackaben, Loganville and Ann Serrie of Lawrenceville. The photo is the work of Thomas McBrayer of Raleigh, N.C.
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