Cold Case Files

1
Cold Case Files

• Ellis Island -
• Suitcases Found!!
• Created by R.A.Varga
• Advanced ESL
• Freedom High School, 2007

2
URGENT MEMO!
Please wait for the message to transmit. . .

• While cleaning out a long-abandoned closet in
  Ellis Island, a janitor stumbled across four
  antique-looking suitcases.

The artifacts inside are the only way to identify
who once owned the cases.
The Ellis Island Foundation needs your help!
R.A. Varga 2006-2007
3
The Challenge

• Because of your superior work with the Department
  of History, you have been asked to work as a
  consultant with other experts and identify one of
  the four abandoned suitcases.

• Your mission, should you choose to accept it,
  will be as follows. . .

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
4
After investigating the case contents, you and
your colleagues will construct the following

• Case file sheet (Identifying the person to whom
  you believe the case belongs.)
• REQUIRED photo, gender, age, education,
  occupation, nationality, marital status, health,
  money upon arrival, final destination

• Birth certificate of case owner.

• Artifact tags for each of the items in the
  suitcase.

• Letter home (personal letter format)

• Letter requesting entrance to US (business letter
  format) click here for requirements

• An additional artifact you believe this person
  would have needed or wanted in his or her
  suitcase.

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
5
The Good News
The good news is, they dont expect you to do
this alone. They sent a package over with
helpful hints on how to do everything.
Read everything carefully. The foundation might
question you about the details.
R.A. Varga 2006-2007
6
Case File for Stefania Chmielewska
Use these files as examples for creating your own
documents.
Please note! There is a required activity under
each heading! After completing each, submit your
findings to Mrs. Varga.
Ships Manifest List the 21 headings on the
manifest. Ellis Island Index What were the two
versions of her first name and last place of
residence? What might explain the
differences? Record of Detained Alien
Passenger What did it mean to be
tagged? Petition for Naturalization Where was
she the first 32 years in the United States?
For more on this case file, click here.
R.A. Varga 2006-2007
7
Vital Records Documents

• Helpful websites for examples of historical
  documents.
• Passports, birth certificate, marriage
  certificates, applications for immigration and
  more.
• http//www.iabsi.com/gen/public/document_examples.
  htm
• http//www.rootsweb.com/sdgenweb/vitals/vital.htm
  l

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
8
Artifact Tags

• Identification Information (FRONT)
• Examine the slide Artifact Tag Identification
• In 20 words or less, explain what identification
  information is.

• Interpretive Information (BACK)
• Examine the slide Artifact Tag Interpretive
• In 20 words or less, explain what identification
  information is.

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
9
Artifact Tag IdentificationFRONT

•  Item Details
• Artifact Number 80-441.1-3
• Current Cultural Affiliations Chinese
• Category furnishings
• Sub-category household accessory
• Place of Origin Country - China
• Measurements Height 14.5 cm, Length 7.0 cm, Width
  4.5 cm
• Possible Date 1900 - 1910

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
10
Artifact Tag InterpretiveBACK

• Caption Chinese Vase (Ping)
• Additional Information In traditional China every
  individual, however rich or poor, was entitled to
  be honored on three occasions birth, death and
  marriage. Some traditional wedding gifts are
  chop-sticks, dates and lotus seeds, all
  symbolizing the wish that the couple have many
  children. Another ideal gift would be a jade
  vase. In Chinese, this type of vase is called
  ping, which sounds identical to the word meaning
  peace and stability. It is a popular wedding
  present.

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
11
Cold Case File Activities

• Small Suitcases or Boxes of personal artifacts
• Students investigate the boxes and take notes on
  what they see, what it tells them about the
  person or persons to whom the items belonged.
• Examples of items
• Medication
• Toys
• Clothing
• Food

• Family photos
• Toiletries
• Books
• Money
• Criminal tools

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
12
Case File Creation

• After investigating the contents, students will
  construct the following
• Artifact tags
• Birth certificate
• Letter home
• Letter requesting entrance to US
• Add an artifact
• Case file sheet (Identify person photo, gender,
  age, class, nationality, etc)

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
13
Arbitration

• New groups will form (take case file with you).
  You will meet with members of other groups and
  try to argue your case for admittance into the
  United States. As a group, you will determine
  (and justify - 1 page report) the fate of all
  four immigrants (Reports will be added to the
  immigrants case file). These are the following
  options (there is only one slot per person)
• Arrested
• Allowed Entrance
• Sent home 

R.A. Varga 2006-2007
14
Debriefing
After arbitration, you will return to your
original group and discuss the different results.
What was the overall decision stay, arrested or
return home? You will then create a final report
and report back to the class.

• Trifold board presentation
• Box of artifacts
• Case file
• Results of arbitration (What was the majority
  decision? Does your person stay or go?)

R.A. Varga 2006-2007