Ellis Island database overwhelmed

People flocking to the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation's online database seeking information about their long-lost relatives have found themselves stuck waiting online. The database, which was unveiled Tuesday, will feature information on 22 million immigrants, passengers and crewmembers who entered the United States through the Port of New York between 1892 and 1924. People will be able to sift through the database either at the American Family Immigration History Center or on the Internet.

But only a day after the database's debut, the Web site was largely inaccessible. "Due to an extraordinary number of visitors, we must limit access to the site," the Web site said. "Please keep trying, or check back later." Ellis Island officials could not be immediately reached for comment.