Ellis Island's Annie Moore: found and remembered

Annie Moore, the first immigrant to be received at Ellis Island (back in 1892), was long thought to have traveled west, her final resting place lost to history. Two years ago her whereabouts were discovered thanks to the efforts of genealogist Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak.

Now with the help of many Irish and American donations, Annie Moore's grave (and that of her five children) will finally be memorialized. After October 11 her resting place in Calvary Cemetery, Queens, New York will no longer be anonymous but will be marked with a headstone of Irish Blue Limestone. The dedication ceremony promises to be a special one incorporating "both cultural and liturgical aspects", according to Julia Devous, Annie Moore's great-granddaughter. "We understand that Annie holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Irish American immigrants and their families here in America and Ireland."

Read more about the plans for Annie Moore's gravestone and its dedication at the Irish Echo online article's Annie will finally get her marker.

For more on the 2006 discovery of Annie Moore's final resting place, see Roots Television's In Search of Annie Moore.

Thanks to Megan's Roots Television blog for announcing the news about Annie's Moore's memorial.