The Island of Hope and Tears

by Kate Paixão

Many people have moved to America over the centuries. Some people have

ancestors who moved to America long ago. Others have relatives who

moved to America more recently.

Maybe someone related to you moved to America long ago. That person

might have arrived at Ellis Island. It is an island in New York City's harbor.

Long ago, Ellis Island was the first stop in the United States for many

newcomers.

These newcomers were called immigrants. From 1892 to 1924, more than

twelve million immigrants came through Ellis Island. Nearly all immigrants

came to America by ship. They were examined at Ellis Island before they

were allowed to enter the United States.

Many people who entered the United States through Ellis Island nicknamed

it "The Island of Hope." But not everyone was allowed into the United

States. Some people were turned away. They gave Ellis Island another,

The Island of Hope and Tears

sadder nickname: "The Island of Tears."

Today, millions of people come to the United States on airplanes. Ellis Island

stopped accepting immigrants many years ago. The island is now home to a

museum. It has a collection that tells the story of immigration.

The museum shows immigrants' photographs, letters, documents, clothing,

and much more. At the museum's American Family Immigration History

Center, you can use a computer to see if anyone in your family came

through Ellis Island.

The Old Picture

by Kate Paixão

Jayden found an old picture in his attic. It was a photo of a man wearing a

uniform.

Jayden brought the picture downstairs. He showed it to his mom. "Who is

this?" Jayden asked.

"That is your great-great-grandfather," said Mom. "His name was William."

"Is he still alive?" asked Jayden.

The Old Picture

"No, this picture comes from about one hundred years ago," replied Mom.

"He was an American soldier in World War One. That is why he is wearing a

uniform in the picture."

"This picture is cool. May I bring it to school?" asked Jayden. "I want to

show my friends."

"This picture is old. We do not want it to get lost or ruined. It is part of our

family history," said Mom. "We will make a copy of it. You can bring that

copy to school."

Family History - Paired Text Questions

The Island of Hope and Tears · The Old Picture

Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________

Use the article "The Island of Hope and Tears" to answer questions 1 to 2.

1. Describe what the museum on Ellis Island shows. Use details from the text to support

your answer.

2. How might people in America today be connected to the people who moved to

America and went through Ellis Island in the past?

Use the article "The Old Picture" to answer questions 3 to 4.

3. Describe the person in the picture that Jayden finds.

4. The picture is important to Mom because it is part of her and Jayden's family history.

What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?

Use the articles "The Old Picture" and "The Island of Hope and Tears" to answer

question 5.

5. Could the things in the museum on Ellis Island be parts of family histories? Support

your answer with information from both texts.