Ellis Island Junior Ranger Program 

What’s a National Park Doing 

in New York harbor? 

National Park sites are located in every state in the 

U.S. except Delaware. They come in all shapes 

and sizes and are as different from one another as 

we are. This island was declared part of the Statue 

of Liberty National Monument in 1965 by Presidential Proclamation. The Main Building was carefully restored during the 1980’s and opened as an 

Immigration Museum in September of 1990. 

In caring for the America’s National Park sites, 

the National Park Service has a very important 

role . This has been the mission of the NPS since 

this agency was created in 1916, even though Yellowstone was designated as the world’s first National Park in 1872. Junior Park Rangers can 

help us in our mission of protecting and preserving this special park. 

Since that time, the National Park System has 

grown to include over 80 million acres of land in 49 

states, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 

and the District of Columbia. These include many 

different types of sites such as: National parks, 

monuments, memorials, battlefields, historic sites, 

recreation areas, rivers, lakeshores and seashores, 

scenic trails, preserves, military parks, and parkways to name a few. 

Can you name some National Park Sites? 

Welcome to the National Park Service ! 

This activity pack contains questions for you to 

answer as you work on becoming a Junior Ranger. 

MUSEUM 

POINTS OF INTEREST 

• Registry Room: 2nd fl. 

• Treasures from Home: 3rd fl. 

• Dormitory Room: 3rd fl. 

• Peopling of America: 1st fl. 

• Hearing Room: 2nd. fl. 

• Immigrant Wall of Honor: 

• Fort Gibson: 

Outside Main Building 

 

About the National 

Park Service: 

1 

About Ellis Island 

The Journey: 

2 

What’s in a name?: 

The Growing Years: 

3 

The Medical Exam: 4 

The Legal 

Inspection 

5 

Growth of a Nation & 

Forced Migration 

6 

Where to Go: 

At last, Citizenship: 

7 

PROGRAM 

GUIDE 

National Park Service 

NPS 

MISSION 

“To conserve the scenery and the 

natural and historic objects and 

the wildlife therein and to provide 

for the enjoyment of the same 

in such manner and by such 

means as will leave them 

unimpaired for the 

enjoyment of future 

generations.” 

 8 
About Ellis Island: 

Named after Samuel Ellis, one of the last private owners of the island, Ellis Island was the first federally 

operated immigration station. It opened in 1892 and officially closed in 1954. During that time, over 12 

million immigrants were processed here. Today almost half of the population of America can trace a 

relative that came through Ellis Island. The Immigration Service also operated other stations (about 2 

dozen) around the country. The majority of immigrants entered via the East Coast since most traveled 

from Europe. 

All immigrants arriving through the Port of New York were not required to go through Ellis Island. 

Only 3rd class and steerage passengers were required to be inspected at the Island. First and second 

class travelers, having more wealth, were not seen as much of a risk as those poorer immigrants who 

traveled steerage and third class. As these immigrants walked through the doors of Ellis Island, they 

entered the baggage room each bringing with them different possessions, skills, and hopes. 

If you were leaving your home forever, what would you bring with you to the New World? 

(Only 10 items). Use the space below to answer. 

The Journey: 

Compare your items to those found in the “Treasures from Home” Exhibit on the 3rd Fl. 

Are any items the same or different from the items on your list? 

Same Different
The U.S. Public Health Service conducted the physical examinations for 

immigrants on Ellis Island. The exam lasted approxamately six-seconds. If an 

immigrant showed an outward sign of illness or condition, which could have 

prevented them from earning a living, then an immigrant would be detained and 

possibly excluded from entering the United States. 

Museum Activity: List and discuss the symbols used to indicate 

medical conditions on immigrants that passed through Ellis Island. 

 Symbol (In 2 West) Condition 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

 Name some conditions you would look for today ! Give them a letter. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Mental testing was often conducted to make sure that immigrants 

did not have any disorders. This test is a sample ! Circle the appropriate letter ! 

(Immigrants had 3 minutes to complete a series of tests like this without instruction)

 

 A B C D

If an immigrant failed the 

mental test three times, then 

that person was deported 

for having a mental illness ! 

NOTE: 

The Medical Exam 
What’s in a name?: 

Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor was only 3.3 acres in size until the 1890’s. For hundreds of years it 

was used by Indians to gather oysters for food. Over the years, Ellis Island changed in name and usage. 

Go to the “Ellis Island Chronicles” exhibit and search for some of the other names that this island had. 

List them below and the reasons why they were called such names. 

The island was eventually owned by Samuel Ellis, a businessman and landowner. Mr. Ellis owned the island from 

the 1780’s until his death in 1794. It was then transferred to the State of New York until it was ceded to the Federal 

Government in 1808. 

What was placed on Ellis Island during that time? _________________________________________ 

Why was the Federal Government building a Harbor Defense System in New York? 

(you’ll find the answer outside near the Wall of Honor)______________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Ellis Island: The Growing Years:

 Much of Ellis Island is made up of landfill. When the Federal Government became responsible for 

 processing immigrants in 1890, it chose Ellis Island as the location for the Nation’s first Federal 

 immigration station. The island was expanded with landfill and the original complex of wooden 

 buildings opened to immigrants on January 1, 1892. 

Where did most of the landfill come from? ___________________________________________________ 

What happened to the original buildings on June 15, 1897. ______________________________________ 

When was this red-bricked building opened? _________________________________________________ 

When did Ellis Island close as an immigration depot? __________________________________________ 

Restoring a Landmark: (exhibit 3 East) 

In 1965, Ellis Island was included as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and placed in the care of the 

National Park Service. During the 1980’s, the Main Building was restored at a cost of $160 million. It opened on 

September 10, 1990 as a National Immigration Museum. List some things that were restored!
Legal Inspection : 

Look at the questions listed on the Manifest and see how you would answer 

them. Some questions were intentionally listed to make the immigrant fail. 

For help, visit “Through America’s Gate” exhibit in 2 West or join a Park 

Ranger tour. List your answers to the manifest below. 

U.S.Department of Labor 

Immigration Service 

1. Number on list. 14. Whether having a ticket to 23. Condition of Health 

2. Name in Full final destination. 24. Deformed or crippled 

3. Age 15. By whom was passage paid? 25. Height 

4. Sex 16. Whether in possession of $50. 26. Complexion 

5. Married / Single 17. Whether ever in U.S. before. 27. Color of eyes/hair 

6. Occupation 18. Whether going to join relative; 28. Identifying marks 

7. Able to Read / Write if so, list name and address 29. Place of Birth

8. Nationality 19. Ever in prison, almshouse, Country/ City/Town 

9. Race institution for care of insane etc. 

10. Last Residence 20. Whether a Polygamist. 

11. Name & Address 21. Whether an Anarchist 

 of relative in native country 22. Whether coming with an offer, Hint: The most important questions were 

12. Final Destination promise, or agreement of labor. # 2, 6, 15, 16, and 22. 

13. No. on list 

SALOON, CABIN, AND STEERAGE ALIENS MUST BE COMPLETELY INSPECTED THIS SHEET FOR STEERAGE PASSENGERS _____Page 

1. 11. 21. 

2. 12. 22. 

3. 13. 23. 

4. 14. 24. 

5. 15. 25. 

6. 16. 26. 

7. 17. 27. 

8. 18. 28. 

9. 19. 29. 

Comments: 
The Growth of a Nation: (search the “Peopling of America” Exhibit in the RxR ticket office) 

Although America formally gained its independence in 1776, the Federal 

Government began to record new arrivals in 1808. But even before the 

colonies were formed, people began searching for a “New World” since 

approximately 1600. 

Since that time about how many people migrated to the U.S.? 

List some of the main reasons why people came to the U.S. and who they were during these periods: 

1820-1840: 

1840-1860: 

1860-1880: 

1880-1900: 

1900-1920: 

1920-1940: 

1940-1960: 

1960-1980: 

1980-2000: 

During which period did America have the most immigration? 

America’s Forced Migration: 

Some of this Nation’s growth occurred because of forced migration (slavery) until the importation of 

slaves was outlawed in 1808. Approximately how many slaves entered during that period? 

It took many years to abolish slavery in the U. S. In a document dated Sept. 22, 1862, 

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, 

which proclaimed all slaves in regions under Confederate control, free. Finally in 1865, 

the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was passed, officially abolishing slavery. 
Where to Go: 

Once an immigrant cleared the processing at Ellis Island, they were bound for their final 

destination wherever that would be. Some stayed in New York, while other headed to other 

areas of the map. In the “Peopling of America” exhibit – R x R ticket office of the 1st 

floor, search for answers of the following. 

1. Of the 12 million immigrants processed at Ellis Island, 

 how many stayed here in New York? 

2. The Railroad Ticket office at Ellis Island sold 

 and verified tickets to over a thousand 

 locations nationwide. How many shipping and Railroad: Shipping: 

 railroad companies provided that service? 

3. Go to the “Ethnic Groups in America” computer. 

 Type in your ethnic code and identify which 5 states 

 have the highest population for your ethnic group. 

 List them on the space provided. 

4. List 3 reasons why you would go to a particular location. 

5. List some locations where your family members settled to. 

The Port of New York has always been the most popular entry point for immigrants entering the U.S.. 

What entry point is the most popular today? Circle the correct answer. 

New York California Florida Texas Illinois 
At last, a job! 

After leaving Ellis Island, immigrants had to find ways of supporting themselves and 

their families. Where ever immigrants settled, the desire for a better life was the leading 

focus for millions. It was this American ideal that began the immigrant process all together. While some immigrants sought their fortune and others struggled, many immigrants found themselves at the crossroads of becoming “American” while keeping their 

traditions and culture alive. Long hours, low pay, and poor working conditions caused 

immigrants to question the American dream of a better life. The new “American 

worker” was both liked and hated at the same time, offering an easy excuse to anyone who wanted to blame 

the immigrant for the country’s problems. These stumbling blocks just made the immigrant 

worker work harder and become Americanized that much quicker. 

 A. In “Peak Immigration Years” 2nd fl exhibit, what was the 

 average wage for each of the 8 jobs listed: 

 Cigar Maker (per day) Garment Worker (piece worker) 

 Bricklayer (per day) Domestic (per week) 

 Laborer (per day) Baker ( per day ) 

 Mill Hand (per day) Construction (per day) 

B. Looking at the chart of what immigrants did in 1900 and find out what types of jobs your ethnic 

 ancestors might have done to earn a living? List the top 5 jobs. 

1. 2. 

3. 4. 

 5. 

C. Some immigrants came to America only to work, earn money and eventually return to their 

homeland. What were these immigrants called? 

Citizenship: Eventually most immigrants would seek the greatest privilege 

that America had to offer, citizenship. The process occurred normally 5 years after 

one enters the country. An immigrant must demonstrate a knowledge of American 

history and the English language. A person desiring American citizenship must also 

not have a criminal past. The citizenship test is given by the Government all across 

the country and usually consists of about 100 questions. 

Go to the 2nd floor exhibit computer and take the “Ellis Island Citizenship Test”. 

How many did you guess right? How many do you need practice on? 

Have your booklet checked by a Park Ranger. 

Congratulations on becoming an Ellis Island Junior Park Ranger