Day 2 by Zoe

We continued to drive around New York City this time we were dropped off at the entrance to the Ellis Island Ferry. We could smell the sent of the ocean wafting over the New York Harbor. The overcast of the clouds gave the water a dark green-ish color. The Ferry pulled away from the dock and gave a toot from the horn. As the water swayed the boat slightly, we passed the Statue of Liberty on our right and continued to Ellis Island. After stopping briefly at the dock, the ‘Brunswickians’ stayed on the boat and visited the Statue of Liberty. When we completed one circle around the island we re-boarded the boat and headed over to Ellis Island.

            We were on solid ground. In fact, we were on the very same solid ground that our ancestors had stood on after their long sea voyage. This was the gateway to America with streets paved with gold. They were sent through lines of customs and medical exams. Immigrants were told to copy a geometric figure they had been shown. Those who could read or write, and those who had never held a pen were very different in neatness. New citizens were asked to match identical images or patterns and were also tested for health issues.  There were many deaths on the island and many were caused by malnourishment or disease. However, there were more than 300 births on the island.

            After circling the museum many times, my group found the Immigrant’s Wall of Honor. On it were inscribed the names of immigrants who had traveled through Ellis Island. The number of names on the wall was enormous and some were condensed into families.  I looked for my ancestors who had traveled through the island but failed to find their names. I wish I had had more time to search for the tiny letters of my past. Some day I hope to go back and see the names of my relatives as they traveled to America to start a new life.