I don't know exactly what you mean by "formally" immigrating, but they did have to have someone in the US who "sponsored" them and who would serve as their American contact and with whom they would live upon arrival. At least that was true from 1902 on...I'm not sure about requirements before 1902. Nanci Cosentino Researching: Cosentino, Patti, Mangiamelli, Militti "The Wanderer" <rosieonmychest@nyc.rr.com> wrote in message news:E0kfg.3405$%h.412@news-wrt-01.rdc-nyc.rr.com... > My great grand father came over from Italy in 1892 when Ellis Island was > brand new. Did he have to bring any papers with him in order to be > processed? I know the W.O.P. stories but were the immigrants required to > have any documentation? This came up in an argument about the illegal > immigrants here now i.e. "how were your people any different that the ones > coming now?" The only answer that I have is that my people came legally, > without knowing were they just let in or did they "formally" immigrate, with > documents etc. What was the exact requirement for paperwork in 1892? Anybody > know? > >