I ask because that is one of the major elements in the Italian movie "Nuovomondo" ("The Golden Door") which describes an Italian family's departure from Italy, transport, and arrival on Ellis Island.

A portion of the movie had several elaborate scenes where marriages were 'arranged' on the Island. The scenes were so simple, yet so realisticaly portrayed that I can't believe it was pure fiction.

It showed scenes of men and women in a room where the women were asked if her spouse was there in the room to 'claim her' whereupon the spouse (on the other side of the room) would says yes, a date would then be arranged in the near future for a marriage to be performed on the Island.

The movie indicated some forms which had to have been filled out and described an act where the groom would then ceremonially pass something across the room to his bride-to-be.

I have only seen a handful of inferences on the internet where this obligation seems to have been enforced for spouse-less women (over 16 or so).

Any facts surrounding it?

Thanks