On New Year's Day 1892 Annie Moore Was The First Immigrant Processed At Ellis Island

The statue of Annie Moore at Ellis Island.

Ellis Island opened with great celebration on January 1, 1892 and on its first day the station processed 700 immigrants. Annie Moore, a 17-year-old from Cobh, Ireland was the first immigrant through and was greeted by officials who gave her a $10 gold coin. Each immigrant underwent a health check to ensure they did not carry infectious disease and were interviewed before being sent by ferry to Manhattan.

Moore went on to give birth to at least ten children and died of heart failure, at the age of 50, in 1924. She is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Queens. Her grave is marked by a Celtic cross made of limestone imported from Ireland.

More: IrishCentral