Augustus Sherman worked in these years, the chief official in the office of records at Ellis island in new York, who was for many years the "gateway" through which immigrants came into the United States. Having access to the immigrants who were detained for one reason or another, he asked them to wear the best costumes and photographed. For the first time some of these photos are from the collection of Sherman was published in National Geographic magazine in 1907.
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Wilhelm Schleich, Bavaria
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Sami woman from Finland
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from the Ruthenia
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Romania
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
The shepherd from Romania
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A musician from Romania
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A priest by the name of Vasilon from Greece
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Holland
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Peter Meyer from Denmark, 57, who arrived on the ship "Mauritania"
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Norway
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Holland with her two daughters
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
The woman from Italy
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
The woman from Italy
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Boy from India
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Woman of Guadeloupe
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Woman from Alsace, Germany
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A guy from Germany, who came to the U.S. "hare"
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
Russian Cossack
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
The man from Algeria
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century