Elaine is correct in that Castle Garden was the port of entry in New York prior to Ellis Island. However, one should not forget that many vessels docked elsewhere: Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, New Orleans and several other places. The earlier a family arrived in the new world, the more likely some of these other ports are to have been used. I have a family that arrived in Chicago as their point of entry and I haven't a real clue how they got there other than the family tradition that they came up the St. Lawrence and then across the Great Lakes. Did they transship via rail in Canada and then board another boat on the lakes? Mike Poston Rockville, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elaine Haberland" <LakotaSue@aol.com> To: <SHUMAN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 7:14 PM Subject: [SHUMAN] Castle Garden > Posted on: Shuman/Schuman/Schumann/Shueman Queries > Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Shuman?read=70 > > Surname: Schumann > ------------------------- > > Thank you to everyone who has responded so far in my search for information > on my great grandfather, Anton Schumann. Just a point of information. Someone > mentioned Castle Garden. They are right, Castle Garden which was located > on an island off the southwest tip of Manhattan, was opened in 1855 and > closed in 1890. A temporary processing center was set up at the Old Barge > Office in 1890 and closed in 1891. Ellis Island was opened on January 1, > 1892. > > My great grandfather came here in 1885 which means he would have come through > Castle Garden. > > Thanks again to everyone and keep all your great hints and suggestions > coming. > > Elaine Haberland > >