It's a cold winter's morning in New York Harbor, January 1907. Hundreds of European migrants are disembarking a ferry at Ellis Island.

They had arrived by ship the previous night after days, if not weeks, at sea.

Healthy first and second class passengers were processed on a rival

and immediately allowed to enter the United States. But those who warned at further

examination joined the passengers in steerage, the cheapest tickets, in the wait for the ferry to be processed

at the immigration station on Ellis Island.

Stepping off the ferry, the young and the old, single men, whole families, walk down a gangplank with the few bags that contain all their worldly possessions.

They drop their bags in the baggage room and head up a large winding staircase to the Great Hall.

Unbeknownst to the new arrivals, this is their first test.

At the top of the stairs, uniformed public health officers watch for heavy breathing and anyone showing physical or mental impairment.

In the Great Hall, everyone has asked their name, place of origin, and how they plan to support themselves.

Doctors quickly assessed whether they warrant further medical examination.

Those that do could be on the island overnight or for months.

Then either allowed in or sent back to their country of origin.

But the vast majority passed through with ease.

They are some of the 1.2 million immigrants that enter the US through Ellis Island that year.

After inspection, everyone heads down a staircase with three aisles.

Those being detained go down the middle.

Those heading north or to New York down the left.

Those heading west or south down the right.

At the bottom is a post office, a railway ticket booth

and a place to change money.

...