Perthyn: The Welsh connection to Ellis Island

This #Perthyn is something a bit special: an interview with Stephen Lean, Director of The American Family Immigration Center on Ellis Island. According to the National Park Service, some 40% of Americans living today are descended from immigrants who came through Ellis Island. It was America's first federal immigration station, processing millions of immigrants in the early 20th century (including thousands of people from Wales - Bob Hope and Senator Martha Hughes Cannon famously amongst them). Learn about the challenges faced by immigrants during their journey, including medical exams and identity mislabeling, where Welsh people lost their national identity through leaving the UK from ports outside of Wales. This video also uncovers the overlooked influence of Welsh immigrants, like comedian Bob Hope, and the story of Welshman Samuel Ellis, the island's original owner. Discover why the Welsh-American story is an integral yet under appreciated part of modern history. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation #wales #cymru #immigrationstories #EllisIslandHistory https://www.wales.com/about/welcome-wales/our-people/perthyn