In regards to Castle Garden, I found another source on my shelf:
"STRANGERS AT THE DOOR: ELLIS ISLAND, CASTLE GARDEN, AND THE GREAT
MIGRATION TO AMERICA" by Ann Novotny [1971]. This is a picture and text
type book ... lots of 19th engravings. The author has a section [pp 44-54]
"Castle Garden [1855-1890]" with drawings of the place as it existed
during its time as the immigration depot. Although the book it somewhat
old, you might still find it in your library. It's worth looking at .. not
only for Irish, but all European immigration thru' WWII.
Here's something to add: Castle Garden was closed in 1890...Ellis Island
opened in 1892. So there is a small gap when a make-shift arrangement for
immigrants was arranged at Battery Park.
David Roberts
On Mon, 30 Dec 1996, harriett auger wrote:
> David, I found your note about Castle Garden interesting and printed it for
> future reference. I wonder if you know anything about Irish Immigrants who
> arrived from 1860 through 1865--My gr grandparents arrived in the years 1860
> and 1865, and I could not find those years in the lists of Irish Famine
> Immigrants. Were these not years associated with the Irish Famine? Do you
> know of any other books I can find in the library for use about this period
> in immigration history in NY? Thanks.
> Harriett--HarriettA@Skybest.com
> >See if you can find a copy of "The American Heritage History of the
> >American People" by Bernard A. Weisberger [1971] ... one of the nice
> >hardback histories produced in the 1960s and 1970s when "American
> >Heritage" still was "American Heritage."
> >p. 117 has an 1855 painting, showing Irish immigrants landing. This would
> >be pretty much what it looked like when your immigrant ancestor landed.
> >p. 116 talks about the problem of too many immigrants arriving in NYC in
> >the 1840's and early 1850's.
> >"New York State required reports of immigrant arrivals, and in 1847 it set
> >up a Board of Commissioners of Emigration to devise orderly procedures for
> >receiving immigrants, registering them, assisting them where necessary,
> >and protecting them from swarms of swindlers and pitchmen ..... In 1855
> >the board bought the building known as Castle Garden, at Manhattan
> >Island's southern tip, and turned in into an immigrant reception station.
> >It served that function until it was replaced by Ellis Island, under
> >federal jurisdiction, in 1892"
> >Interesting to note that until 1892 immigration was a STATE not a FEDERAL
> >responsibility.
> >Castle Garden was not a Dutch fort. It was built ca. 1810 by the U. S.
> >Army as part of the coastal defenses of Manhattan. It was called Castle
> >Clinton, the name it now uses. It's a unit of the National Park Service.
> >"The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America: The Mid-Atlantic States"
> >[1989] p. 28 says:
> >"The land on which Castle Clinton now stands was originally an island two
> >hundred feet off the tip of Manhattan. The United States built the
> >fortress in 1808-1811 to prepare for war with England ...... The fortress
> >was named Castle Clinton (in honor of DeWitt Clinton ....) after the War
> >of 1812. In 1824, it was renamed Castle Garden and opened for public
> >ceremonies, demonstrations, and entertainment..... [sort of an early 19th
> >century convention hall/area].
> >"In 1855, the island was connected with Manhattan [landfill] and the
> >castle became an immigration center.....Eight million immigrants passed
> >through here until the federal government took over the job and moved the
> >facility to Ellis Island in 1890. [1892 is the correct date]. In 1906, the
> >architects McKim, Mead & White remodeled it for an aquarium, which lasted
> >until 1940. In 1946, the federal government opened it to the public as a
> >national landmark. Inside is a circular courtyard and a small museum ..."
> >Telephone 212-344-7220
> >I'm sure that there is a National Park WebSite that could give you more.
> >Most any book on 19th century immigration would give info on Castle
> >Garden. I just quoted from the easiest one to get from the shelf.
> >David Roberts
> >
> >
> Just wondering...What was the best thing before sliced bread?
>
>