Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920
About 75 photographs of immigrants are on view at the Ellis Island museum in "Augustus Frederick Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920."
June 1 -- September 6, 2005
Augustus Frederick Sherman, was a registry clerk in Ellis Island's immigration division in the early 20th century. In the hours when he wasn't determining the fate of some of the thousands of immigrants disembarking daily in New York Harbor from foreign vessels, he was coaxing the hopeful to open their trunks, don their finest attire and level their gaze at his camera.
For the entire New York Times article:
"When Old and New World Met in a Camera Flash"
By KATHRYN SHATTUCK
Published: August 6, 2005