August Sherman worked during these years as the chief official in the registration department on Ellis Island in New York, which for many years was the "gateway" through which immigrants entered the United States. Having access to immigrants who were detained for one reason or another, he asked them to wear their best suits and took pictures. For the first time, some of these photographs from the Sherman collection were published in the 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
A Sami woman from Finland
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from 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
Shepherd from Romania
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
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 years old, 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 two daughters
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Italy
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Italy
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A boy from India
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A woman from Guadeloupe
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century
A 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 USA as a "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
A man from Algeria
20 portraits of immigrants to America at the beginning of the last century