Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation

The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation operates differently from most non-profits tied to historic sites. While many organizations focus solely on preservation or education, this one bridges genealogical research with public access to immigration records. Their work centers on maintaining the American Family Immigration History Center, a resource that lets people trace ancestors who arrived through Ellis Island. Unlike tourist-focused groups, they provide tools for personal discovery—connecting names in old manifests to living descendants.

Based at 39 Broadway Suite 2030 New York, NY 10006, the foundation sits in a district where financial towers overshadow quieter civic efforts. The Lower Manhattan location places it near the actual departure points for ferries to Liberty Island, though their role isn’t about tours. Instead, they manage databases, digitize archives, and support research that turns abstract history into individual stories. Genealogy often feels like a solitary pursuit, but here it’s treated as part of a larger narrative—one tied to the port that once processed thousands of arrivals daily.

Questions about family history or access to their records can be directed to (212) 561-4588. For those mapping a visit to the office or planning research, the directions clarify its position amid the canyon of Broadway. The foundation’s work remains a fixed point in a neighborhood defined by constant motion.