Why Scan Photos Onto CD? Online Albums Of Ellis Island Immigrants A Prime Example
Digital Photos Make Genealogy Research Simpler To Perform & Share
We can trace our country’s amazing diversity to Ellis Island.
The New York landmark hosted more than 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. More than 40 percent of Americans today have an ancestor who came to this country through Ellis Island, and there’s no better way to save their moment in history than scanning old and wrinkled photos onto CD for your children – and their children – to appreciate. This image, for example, depicts immigrants who are awaiting entry into their new homeland.
While immigration has become a polarizing topic in America, we can all appreciate the significance of Ellis Island. It symbolizes a pivotal time in our past and a period of great growth. The waves of disenfranchised, persecuted and hopeful people came to the United States seeking opportunity and freedom. Here, they found a gateway that allowed people of every race, creed, color and religion an entrance. Ellis Island cemented the idea of America as the land of opportunity. It became the foundation of the multicultural society we know today.
Ellis Island joined the country in more ways than one. Prior to the Federal Government opening the immigration station in 1890, the process was handled by separate states. With Ellis Island, the rules regarding how people entered this country became consistent.
Of course, the images we have of the immigrants who arrived through the island were not taken with a digital camera, but you can easily scan the photos onto CD. The images may not be of the best quality, but they are priceless for their historical value. Their value to future generations, too, can’t be underestimated. While some of these photos remain within the families of the immigrants, many others sit in dusty old books, library genealogy departments and newspaper archives.
These are the some of the first pictures we have of families who received a fresh start in America. Many have gone on to shape our country. By collecting and scanning their information and photos onto CD, we can more easily share their lives with many people. Interested descendents, for instance, don’t have to travel cross country to research their ancestors. They can simply turn on their computers.
