A portrait of America

At the turn of the 20th century, an amateur photographer captured future Americans as they passed through Ellis Island

by The Week team

February 1, 2017

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } February 1, 2017

The 'huddled masses': An Atlantic liner packed with immigrants approaches Ellis Island in 1906.

(Everett Collection Historical / Alamy Stock Photo)Sherman was also an amateur photographer. And, as he worked his way up the ranks, he was afforded increasing access to immigrants who were t

German stowaway.

(Augustus Sherman

Three Dutch women.

(Augustus Sherman

A Hindu boy.

(Augustus Sherman

Children from Lapland.

(Augustus Sherman

Romanian shepherd.

(Augustus Sherman

Italian woman.

(Augustus Sherman

Algerian man.

(Augustus Sherman

Slovak woman and children.

(Augustus Sherman

Greek soldier.

(Augustus Sherman

Dutch children.

(Augustus Sherman

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