This research was historical in its essence.  The photos used were part of the Ellis Island and Donald Weber collections taken in the mid 1800s to 1900s.  The “outsiders” are concluded to be the subjects in the Ellis Island collection, while the “established” are in the Donald Weber collection.

After fully analyzing the data through extensive research methods, it is apparent that there are very distinct differences between them.  The evidence of the “outsiders” depicted in cultural attire were far greater than the “established.”   

The data selected from the Donald Weber collection, the “established” presented very similar patterns in clothing and adornment.  However, much more of a representation of ethnicity and homeland attire was obtained from the Ellis Island Collection.   An extensive coding was devised in order to provide an unbiased final product.  To add, these combinations of charts and graphs determined that more frequencies and occurrences of “folk” attire were found in the selected photos in the Ellis Island collection, more so than the selected in the Donald Weber collection.

The data also shows that in reverse, the selection in the Donald Weber collection, the subjects were dressed in a more uniform fashion with very similar attire.  The subjects were also shown enjoying leisure activities of which were not found in the Ellis Island collection.   

Other nuances were also presumed within the end result of the analyzed photos; how the subjects felt, how they perceived their surroundings, and whether or not the perception of being at ease is detected.  Once again, it was determined that the “outsiders” seemed more determined to hold on to their ethnic identities; while the “established” seemed to be well adapted society members who have embraced similarities in cultural fashion.  The “established” also seemed to accept a standardized culture, where they are all equally identified. 

It was also determined that the seemingly human need to “fit in” has not changed much in the last 160 years or so since the first dated photograph in the Ellis Island collection.  The same could be said for the first dated photo in the Donald Weber collection.  The evidence of costume history proves the importance of being accepted into subsequent and current cultural trends in the United States.  It is also important to note, as seen by the migrating peoples in the Ellis Island collections, that cultural trends exist worldwide.  That being said, society members who relocate to different parts of the world may be susceptible to same changes noted within this research.  Assimilating the culture and becoming an accepted member of society is a shared need.