Celebrated on 04/17/2026
Ellis Island processed over 12 million immigrants from 1892 to 1954, with nearly 40% of Americans able to trace their ancestry through its records. National Ellis Island Family History Day, observed on April 17, coincides with the anniversary of the opening of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in 1990.
National Ellis Island Family History Day was established by the U.S. Congress in 2001 to honor the immigrant experience and encourage Americans to explore their family heritage. The day was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the opening of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on April 17, 1990, which transformed the historic immigration station into a public educational facility. The holiday was championed by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and various genealogical societies to promote the use of the extensive immigration records available through the Ellis Island archives.
Since its inception, National Ellis Island Family History Day has grown from a niche observance into a broader celebration of genealogy and immigration history. Initially focused on on-site events at Ellis Island, the day now includes virtual activities such as online workshops, webinars, and access to digital archives. The holiday encourages families to research their roots using resources like the Ellis Island Passenger Arrival Records and the American Family Immigration History Center. Many genealogical societies, libraries, and historical organizations host special programs, including family history workshops, DNA testing discussions, and storytelling sessions about immigrant ancestors.
Ellis Island processed up to 5,000 immigrants per day during its peak years, with a total of 12 million people passing through its doors. The Ellis Island database contains over 65 million passenger records, making it one of the largest genealogical resources in the world. * Approximately 100 million Americans can trace at least one ancestor who arrived through Ellis Island, representing about one-third of the U.S. population.
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