Angel Island - West Coast Immigration Station

The majority of my ancestors came to the United States before Ellis Island and Castle Garden were the gateway for European immigrants. While researching topics for the Everyday Genealogy Desk Calendar
I discovered another immigration gateway - Angel Island.


Angel Island

Angel Island was the 'Ellis Island of the West' for Australians, Canadians, Mexicans, Russia, Central and South Americans and in particular Asian immigrants from 1910 to 1940.

Boats would land in San Francisco and the passengers would be processed based on the class of their ticket. Persons holding a first or second class ticket would be processed on the ship. Passengers holding steerage tickets would be sent to Angel Island for processing.

Processing on Angel Island was not handled as efficiently or quickly as Ellis Island due to the Chinese exclusion laws.

The following links will help you research your ancestors that may have passed through Angel Island.

History of Angel Island

Angel Island Association

"Angel Island" 'Guardian of the Western Gate' - Valerie Natale


Books from Amazon:

Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America

Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940

Angel Island : Immigrant Gateway to America

Take Care,
Pattie