“From our Nation’s beginning, the contour of our history has been shaped by immigration.  Most of us know very little about our immigrant ancestor but with a little research we are able to find an enormous amount of information on them”; states Jackie Polsgrove-Roberts, Genealogy Branch Manager at Cass County Public Library.

Between 1824-1924 alone, 34 million Europeans , as well as countless others, immigrated to the United States.  Some 25 million immigrants between 1860 and 1920 arrived by boat. Beginning in 1886, if they came in at New York, they were greeted to America by the Statue of Liberty and after 1892 they would be examined at the Ellis Island Immigration Center.

However, there were many other Ports of Entry that most people are not aware of. Now, you can find information on your immigrant ancestor with the help offered in the Immigrant Ancestor class being offered at Cass Co Public Library in Harrisonville Computer Lab from 9 am – noon, Saturday, March 10. Participants in the class will be given the tools to find information such as: the facts of immigration, where to look for information, how to find their ancestors Port of Entry, what online databases for arrival records are available, there will be class time allowed to do an actual search using the Ellis Island database.   

The class is open to the public but registration must be made prior to March 3, as seating is limited. A $5 fee for instructional handouts will be due upon registration.

Please register at Cass County Public Library Genealogy Branch, 400 East Mechanic in Harrisonville or call the Genealogy Branch at 816-884-6285 for more information.

Informatinon provided by
Jackie Polsgrove-Roberts
Cass County Public Library
Genealogy Branch
Phone 816-884-6285