By Victor Grigoraci

Twelve million immigrants came to America through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954 to make new lives. Hope and prayer brought these brave souls by ships to America from all corners of the world.

The ships usually had three classes of passengers: first, second and steerage, or third class. The ships docked in New York Harbor.

First and second classes of immigrants were pretty much accepted directly into the United States based on the assumption that such persons were fairly wealthy and healthy and could take care of themselves financially.

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