Prior to 1855, there were no special immigration procession centers. When a ship landed from abroad, it presented its passenger list to the Collector of Customs. He collected whatever Customs declarations were required and the immigrants simply went their way.

Starting on August 1, 1855, a facility called Castle Garden (also known as Castle Clinton) started examining and processing immigrants on behalf of the State of New York. In 1882, Congress passed the Immigration Act which brought all immigration matters under the jurisdiction of the Federal government.

Castle Garden continued to function until 1890 and the more famous Ellis Island facility took over in 1892. August Heiden, his wife, Rika, and their children came through the Castle Garden processing center. The more famous Ellis Island facility did not open until 1892 after the Heidens, Rambows, Gettys and Roggermans arrived in the U.S.

Click Here for an account of Castle Garden in 1866 from the New York Times Marine Intelligence Column of December 23, 1866.