Life
40 Photos Of Ellis Island Immigrants That Capture American Diversity
These are the real faces of Americans.
Kalli Sarkin
02.27.18

Our country is rich in history, and our background is uniquely diverse. Amateur photographer August Sherman worked as a clerk at Ellis Island from 1892-1925, and he captured many portraits of people attempting to gain entry to the United States. His natural talent shines through in these photos that demonstrate the diverse background from which our country has grown.

He has taken many great portraits, including one of an Albanian solder.

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All That's Interesting

A traditional Algerian man.

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A girl from near Strasbourg, Alsace.

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All That's Interesting

A miner from Bavaria.

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A Russian man.

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Peter Meyer from Denmark.

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Three Dutch protestant women.

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Dutch children holding religious tracts.

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Protestant woman from the province of Zeeland.

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All That's Interesting

Women from Guadelupe in formal attire.

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A German stowaway who was later deported.

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Joseph Vasilon, a Greek-Orthodox priest.

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A Greek infantryman.

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A Greek woman.

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A woman from Guadeloupe.

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A Romani family.

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A woman from Italy.

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Another Italian woman.

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All That's Interesting

Two Swedish children.

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A woman from Norway.

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A young girl from Dalarna.

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A Romanian musician.

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A Romanian shepherd.

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Two Romanian women.

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Armed Russian men.

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All That's Interesting

A Ukrainian woman.

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A Finnish woman.

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Three Scottish boys.

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Hungarian Gypsies who were deported.

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Romanian shepherds.

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A Slovakian family.

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All That's Interesting

Three Slovakian women.

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Three Russian men.

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All That's Interesting

A Turkish bank guard.

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Titled Thumbu Sammy.

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An Italian Piper.

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A Dutch family.

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A Jewish family from England.

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Women from Guadeloupe.

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Women from the Netherlands.

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Our nation has certainly seen the influence from many different countries, and it is inspiring to see our roots for ourselves. These photographs bring our country’s rich history to life.

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