If you know ot think you had relatives who came thru Ellis Island, you can search for them here.

http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/

my wife's father arrived in 1919, and was found easily.

(there is a requirement to register for detailed access to some records, but the preliminary search to see if the name(s) you want are there is free)...the detailed search will name ships and more, I gather..The preliminary search gives name, date,age at arrival and hometown of record. A well done site...