Would just like to add to Charles' excellent summary of the Ellis Island Project that all of these records - for Ellis Island, Castle Garden, (any Port of New York arrivals) etc. - are already available at NARA Northeast and through other outlets such as the LDS and the AGLL. The Ellis Island period, in particular, is indexed. The 50 year period from abt. 1848-1898 is not. Prior to 1848, there are indexes as well. Now, just to clarify what these records are, these are the passenger manifest lists, or ship lists (as they are commonly called). These are not "immigration" records, per se, they are what the the ship line had to prepare in order to enter a US port. Basically a listing of all passengers with some personal details about each passenger. The older the record, the fewer details, usually. My point here is that you certainly do not have to wait for the Ellis Island Project to be finished to search the Ellis Island period ship records. To my knowledge, early Customs and Health/Immigration records (for passengers) have NOT survived for any facility that was an disembarkation point in NY. Someone correct me if I'm wrong and tell me where they are hiding! :) Best regards. Nancy. NColeman NYC/Long Island Family History Research Services http://www.genealogyPro.com/ncoleman.html ncroots@worldnet.att.net NYGenExchange: www.genexchange.com/NY/index.cfm