April 18, 2001--
A new website aimed at helping people trace their immigrant ancestors through Ellis Island is very popular. So popular, in fact, that it's been difficult to use the internet site.
The best advice to those trying to log on is to keep trying.
The Ellis Island Foundation and the National Park Service unveiled the site Tuesday.
Here is our original report:
Millions of people who immigrated to the United States came through a processing center on Ellis Island in New York Harbor.
Now, with the help of a new center and website, you can trace those ancestors.
News Specialist Carole Mikita reports the project which was carried out here in Salt Lake City.
A century ago, these people came to America and transformed a nation.
Many of them arrived first at Ellis Island.
Researchers believe that 40% of us can trace our roots here.
But finding the information about these immigrants has been difficult, until now.
The Ellis Island Foundation and the National Park Service have developed the American Family Immigration History Center.
Twenty-two- million arrived by ship. These passenger manifests are where the names came from.
For help, the foundation turned to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many volunteers donated hours of painstaking work.
Sandra Pitts, Ellis Island volunteer: "ELLIS ISLAND RESEARCH IS SO HARD. NOTHING IS ALPHABETICAL OR INDEXED OR ORGANIZED FOR THIS TIME PERIOD WE'RE TALKING ABOUT... 1892 TO 1924."
Carole Mikita reporting: "WHEN THE MICROFILM ARRIVED IN EXTRACTION CENTERS IN WARD HOUSES, THE INFORMATION - NAME, SHIP, ARRIVAL PORT, ETC. WAS PUT ONTO A PASSENGER RECORD FORM. EVENTUALLY ALL OF THAT INFORMATION WAS TRANSFERRED ONTO THE COMPUTER."
Twelve- thousand workers spent nearly 6- million manhours transcribing and creating a searchable database.
Steve Briganti, Ellis Island Foundation director: "I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THEM, BECAUSE THE WIDTH AND BREATH AND SCOPE OF THEIR VOLUNTEER EFFORT WOULD HAVE COST US MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS."
Felicita Gabachio and her family immigrated from Italy. She loves the new center.
Felicita Gabachio, former immigrant: "I THINK IT SORT OF GIVES YOU A REASON FOR BEING HERE. IT GIVES YOU A FEELING THAT 'I'M NOT THE ONLY THING THAT EVER WAS.' THERE WAS SOMEBODY BEFORE ME AND SOMEBODY BEFORE THEM, YOU KNOW."
Those involved in the project say they are happy to be part of something that links the generations.
The website is found at www.ellisislandrecords.org. It has been very busy, so you may have to try again later.
