83,402
edits
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
==DETERMINE BACKGROUND INFORMATION== | ==DETERMINE BACKGROUND INFORMATION== | ||
*When did the immigrant arrive in America? | |||
*In which specific area did he settle? | |||
*Which records exist for that area? | |||
*In which port did he arrive? Which records exist or are available? | |||
*Was the immigrant prominent? Was the surname unusual or common? | |||
*Did the immigrant come alone or did he come as part of a group or with a religious leader? | |||
*Which historical events were occurring in Europe, and also in America, that could have played a role in influencing emigration or immigration? | |||
*Did anyone appear on the passenger list with the ancestor, who settled in the same area as the immigrant? | |||
==CHECK HOME AND FAMILY SOURCES== | ==CHECK HOME AND FAMILY SOURCES== | ||
*Family Bible | |||
*Emigration papers: passport, emigration permission, travel tickets, boarding passes etc. | |||
*Occupational papers, lodge or guild records, journeyman letters ("Gesellenbrief, Wanderbücher") | |||
*Church certificates: christening, confirmation, marriage, death or burial record. | |||
*Family letters – which are generally dated and list a place! | |||
*School certificates | |||
*Family pictures: watch for explanations usually written on the back and/or photographer's address or town on the front! | |||
*Funeral cards and obituary notices | |||
*Drivers license, insurance papers, etc. | |||
*Diaries - personal journals | |||
*Ahnenpass, Familienstammbuch | |||
*Published family histories | |||
*Any documents written or printed in a foreign language or handwriting style. The basic rule is: If you can’t read it, have it read by someone who can. | |||
==WWW.FAMILYSEARCH.ORG INCLUDES:== | ==WWW.FAMILYSEARCH.ORG INCLUDES:== | ||
*IGI (International Genealogical Index | |||
*Ancestral File | |||
*Social Security Death Index | |||
*1880 U.S. Census Index with links to images on www.ancestry.com | |||
*Pedigree Resource File | |||
*Family History Library Catalog | |||
*Family History Resource File: Vital Records Index | |||
*links to various websites | |||
==U.S. CENSUS RECORDS== | ==U.S. CENSUS RECORDS== | ||
| Line 67: | Line 66: | ||
www.ancestry.com with indexes and images. Some years are also available at www.heritagequestonline.com. However, if the ancestor cannot be found using “exact search”, it may be necessary to search other indexes or even the census film for the specific locality ‘by hand’. Since Ancestry.com uses a lot of non-English speakers to index records, users need to be aware of letter combinations that could easily be misinterpreted. Try truncated searches using three or more letters and an asterisk for a “wild card”. | www.ancestry.com with indexes and images. Some years are also available at www.heritagequestonline.com. However, if the ancestor cannot be found using “exact search”, it may be necessary to search other indexes or even the census film for the specific locality ‘by hand’. Since Ancestry.com uses a lot of non-English speakers to index records, users need to be aware of letter combinations that could easily be misinterpreted. Try truncated searches using three or more letters and an asterisk for a “wild card”. | ||
*1850, 1860, 1870 Federal Census | |||
Beginning with the 1850 Census, all household members are named, province, country or state of birth is listed. | Beginning with the 1850 Census, all household members are named, province, country or state of birth is listed. | ||
1860 and 1870 Census often list "province" rather than the country. | 1860 and 1870 Census often list "province" rather than the country. | ||
Book and film/fiche indexes exist for most of these censuses. | Book and film/fiche indexes exist for most of these censuses. | ||
*1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 Federal Census | |||
Soundex indexes exist for these U. S. Censuses. They provide clues as to country, kingdom, duchy, province or state, or even the place of birth. Month and year of birth are listed. The 1880 Soundex Index includes those families with children ten years or younger. The 1900 Census lists the year of immigration to America, also "years married" and “month and year of birth”. The 1900-1930 censuses ask if the immigrant is a U.S. citizen or an alien and for the year of immigration. | Soundex indexes exist for these U. S. Censuses. They provide clues as to country, kingdom, duchy, province or state, or even the place of birth. Month and year of birth are listed. The 1880 Soundex Index includes those families with children ten years or younger. The 1900 Census lists the year of immigration to America, also "years married" and “month and year of birth”. The 1900-1930 censuses ask if the immigrant is a U.S. citizen or an alien and for the year of immigration. | ||
*Check State Censuses wherever they are available! They were usually taken midway between Federal Censuses in years ending with “5”. | |||
==U.S. RECORDS== | ==U.S. RECORDS== | ||
*State and county vital records: a. marriage license or record (especially the application), b. death record c. divorce records | |||
*Church records: a. child’s christening record, b. confirmation record, c. marriage record, d.. burial record, e. membership records, f. tombstone inscriptions, g. cemetery records – associations | |||
*Military records: a. pension/ service files b. WWI draft registration cards[available on www.ancestry.com] | |||
*Public records: a. civil court records, b. probate records, c. land records, d. tax records | |||
==NATURALIZATION RECORDS== | ==NATURALIZATION RECORDS== | ||
| Line 99: | Line 95: | ||
==NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, OTHER COMPILATIONS== | ==NEWSPAPERS, PERIODICALS, OTHER COMPILATIONS== | ||
*Newspapers, especially obituaries | |||
*Foreign-language newspapers (i.e. German-American Newspapers, Danish-American, Polish-American, Swedish-American and so forth, town- and church newspapers, especially Methodist Episcopal) | |||
*Published genealogies | |||
*Genealogical Magazines (like the German Genealogical Digest, Der Schlüssel, etc.) | |||
*City Directories | |||
*County atlases, plat books | |||
==LOCAL HISTORIES== | ==LOCAL HISTORIES== | ||
*Town Histories: may include information if your ancestor was among the first settlers in the area, if he was prominent, or if he made significant contributions of some sort (art, architecture, etc.) | |||
*County Histories: may include information about specific ethnic groups, where they settled, who their leaders were and where they came from, biographical sketches, and churches with biographical information about founding members of the congregation. | |||
*State Histories: usually contain very general information about early settlers and their origins. | |||
==U.S. PASSENGER INFORMATION== | ==U.S. PASSENGER INFORMATION== | ||
As of July 2006, www.ancestry.com has indexed passenger lists from the following ports, most with linked images: | As of July 2006, www.ancestry.com has indexed passenger lists from the following ports, most with linked images: | ||
*New York, 1820-1850 [no images], 1851-1891, and some records from the 1930’s | |||
*Baltimore, 1820-1948, also an earlier index without images from 1820-1872 | |||
*Boston, 1820-1943 | |||
*Philadelphia, 1883-1945 | |||
*Atlantic Ports, Gulf Coasts, and Great Lakes Passenger Lists, 1820-1871 | |||
*Galveston, 1896-1948 | |||
*New Orleans, 1820-1945 | |||
However, it isn’t always clear how complete both indexing and images are. For instance, the Galveston indexes are linked to images, but for some reason apparently only the left page of the lists was scanned in. The right page that includes the town of birth is not available, and there is no hint in the description that it exists. | However, it isn’t always clear how complete both indexing and images are. For instance, the Galveston indexes are linked to images, but for some reason apparently only the left page of the lists was scanned in. The right page that includes the town of birth is not available, and there is no hint in the description that it exists. | ||
Additional information: | Additional information: | ||
*New York passenger lists begin in 1820. Filmed indexes are available for 1820 - 1846, 1897 – 1943. Prior to 1882 relatively few lists contain the town of origin. Both last residence and place of birth are required on the form beginning in 1907. Less information is required for U.S. citizens. | |||
Lists from 1892 to 1924 are available on the Internet at www.ellisislandrecords.org. However, the search capabilities are limited. For expanded search capabilities use www.stevemorse.org. | Lists from 1892 to 1924 are available on the Internet at www.ellisislandrecords.org. However, the search capabilities are limited. For expanded search capabilities use www.stevemorse.org. | ||
Another online-index for New York 1830-1913 is www.castlegarden.org. This is NOT linked to images, so must be used in conjunction with other websites. Both indexes and images for 1820-1957 are available on www.anccestry.com. | Another online-index for New York 1830-1913 is www.castlegarden.org. This is NOT linked to images, so must be used in conjunction with other websites. Both indexes and images for 1820-1957 are available on www.anccestry.com. | ||
If a search on www.ancestry.com doesn’t work, it may be helpful to check other record formats and indexes: | If a search on www.ancestry.com doesn’t work, it may be helpful to check other record formats and indexes: | ||
*2. The Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, and New Orleans lists are indexed on microfilm for the greater part of the 19th Century and partly up to 1929. Indexes and lists are available for other ports as well. | |||
*The Germans to America series (FHL 973 W2ger, red books) covers 1850-1897, Series II covers 1840-1849. | |||
*Filby’s Passenger and Immigration Lists Index (973 W32p, tan colored books) | |||
*Canadian border crossing records (1894 - 1954) are available on film; some Canadian emigration records are now available on line. | |||
*Galveston, Texas- most of the early passenger lists were destroyed, but there are some books of extracted and compiled lists of immigrants of various nationalities. This website may be helpful [you need a password, but it’s free]: http://www.tsm-elissa.org/immigration-main.htm. | |||
==EUROPEAN PASSENGER INFORMATION== | ==EUROPEAN PASSENGER INFORMATION== | ||
'''HAMBURG''' | |||
Passenger Lists, 1850 - 1934. | Passenger Lists, 1850 - 1934. | ||
A. The direct Passenger Lists | A. The direct Passenger Lists | ||
| Line 151: | Line 144: | ||
Images of the Hamburg Passenger lists are now available on www.ancestry.de, but only 1890-1913 is indexed at this time. Currently, the Family History Library subscription to Ancestry does not have access to these records. | Images of the Hamburg Passenger lists are now available on www.ancestry.de, but only 1890-1913 is indexed at this time. Currently, the Family History Library subscription to Ancestry does not have access to these records. | ||
'''BREMEN''' | |||
A. Bremen began keeping passenger lists in 1832, but most lists have been destroyed. Currently, 2953 passenger lists dating from 1920 to 1939 are kept in the Archive of the Bremen City chamber of Commerce. They are fully indexed at http://www.schiffslisten.de/ | A. Bremen began keeping passenger lists in 1832, but most lists have been destroyed. Currently, 2953 passenger lists dating from 1920 to 1939 are kept in the Archive of the Bremen City chamber of Commerce. They are fully indexed at http://www.schiffslisten.de/ | ||
| Line 159: | Line 151: | ||
Zimmerman, Gary J., and Marion Wolfert, German Immigrants - Lists of Passengers Bound From Bremen to New York ( FHL Int’l Ref 974.71 W3g ), four volumes. | Zimmerman, Gary J., and Marion Wolfert, German Immigrants - Lists of Passengers Bound From Bremen to New York ( FHL Int’l Ref 974.71 W3g ), four volumes. | ||
'''ANTWERP, BELGIUM''' | |||
For Antwerp the Library is currently filming emigration records and hotel registers that include Germans, especially from the Rhineland and the Southwestern part of Germany, and give towns of origin. These records are cataloged under “Belgium, Antwerpen, Antwerpen- Emigration-Immigration”. The “Vreemdelingendossiers” begin in 1840. There are indexes. The first film number of the set is 2234256. | For Antwerp the Library is currently filming emigration records and hotel registers that include Germans, especially from the Rhineland and the Southwestern part of Germany, and give towns of origin. These records are cataloged under “Belgium, Antwerpen, Antwerpen- Emigration-Immigration”. The “Vreemdelingendossiers” begin in 1840. There are indexes. The first film number of the set is 2234256. | ||
'''LE HAVRE, FRANCE''' | |||
The only actual ships’ lists known to exist are crew lists, which are of very limited usefulness. | The only actual ships’ lists known to exist are crew lists, which are of very limited usefulness. | ||
Records of some Le Havre ship departures may be found at the | Records of some Le Havre ship departures may be found at the | ||
Archives Départementales de la Seine-Maritime | Archives Départementales de la Seine-Maritime | ||
| Line 172: | Line 162: | ||
France | France | ||
In addition, a card index of about 40,000 passengers who left the port of Le Havre from 1784-1840 is reportedly in the possession of a local genealogical society at | In addition, a card index of about 40,000 passengers who left the port of Le Havre from 1784-1840 is reportedly in the possession of a local genealogical society at | ||
Groupement Genealogique du Havre et Seine-Maritime | Groupement Genealogique du Havre et Seine-Maritime | ||
| Line 187: | Line 176: | ||
Of note is a set of films called “Registres des émigrés, 1817 1866, an alphabetical card index which lists individuals who traveled through France on their way to their new residence abroad. (FHL film #s 1125002 through 1125007). Some cards are very hard to read. Some, but not all, of the material in these films is contained in | Of note is a set of films called “Registres des émigrés, 1817 1866, an alphabetical card index which lists individuals who traveled through France on their way to their new residence abroad. (FHL film #s 1125002 through 1125007). Some cards are very hard to read. Some, but not all, of the material in these films is contained in | ||
Schrader-Muggenthaler, Cornelia The Alsace Emigration Book (Int. Ref. 944.38 W2s), 2 vols. | Schrader-Muggenthaler, Cornelia The Alsace Emigration Book (Int. Ref. 944.38 W2s), 2 vols. | ||
'''EMDEN''' | |||
Relatively few emigrants are known to have left through Emden. Wilhelm Weitz, "Beiträge zur Auswanderung aus Ostfriesland im 19. Jahrhundert," Friesisches Jahrbuch, 32 (1958), 110-135: Antje Brons, Emden to New York, 1855 and 1857; Johannes, Emden to Charleston, 1857. | |||
Relatively few emigrants are known to have left through Emden. Wilhelm Weitz, "Beiträge zur Auswanderung aus Ostfriesland im 19. Jahrhundert," Friesisches Jahrbuch, 32 (1958), 110-135: Antje Brons, Emden to New York, 1855 and 1857; Johannes, Emden to Charleston, 1857. | |||
'''HARBURG''' | |||
Hans-Georg Mercker, Alphabetisches Register der von und über Harburg ausgewanderten Personen von 1841 bis 1884 (typescript 1964), in the library of the Genealogische Gesellschaft, Sitz Hamburg, lists emigrants (including returning emigrants) from and through Harburg, 1841 and 1851-1854. | Hans-Georg Mercker, Alphabetisches Register der von und über Harburg ausgewanderten Personen von 1841 bis 1884 (typescript 1964), in the library of the Genealogische Gesellschaft, Sitz Hamburg, lists emigrants (including returning emigrants) from and through Harburg, 1841 and 1851-1854. | ||
'''STETTIN''' | |||
Some passenger lists are found in the record groups Pommersches Polizeipräsidium and Schifffahrtsdirektion Stettin in the | Some passenger lists are found in the record groups Pommersches Polizeipräsidium and Schifffahrtsdirektion Stettin in the | ||
Vorpommersches Landesarchiv | Vorpommersches Landesarchiv | ||
| Line 199: | Line 189: | ||
The lists cover the years 1869-1892, and contain about 500-800 passengers per year. Friedrich Wollmershäuser, a private researcher, has obtained copies of these passenger lists and intends to publish them. | The lists cover the years 1869-1892, and contain about 500-800 passengers per year. Friedrich Wollmershäuser, a private researcher, has obtained copies of these passenger lists and intends to publish them. | ||
'''ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS''' | |||
Lists kept by the Holland- America Line from 1900 to 1940 are available on microfiche, beginning with FHL INTL Fiche 6109126 | Lists kept by the Holland- America Line from 1900 to 1940 are available on microfiche, beginning with FHL INTL Fiche 6109126 | ||
'''OTHER PORTS''' | |||
Other German ports were primarily located along the Eastern sea board and included Gdansk, Libau, Memel, and Riga. Germans also used Scandinavian ports (especially Copenhagen), | Other German ports were primarily located along the Eastern sea board and included Gdansk, Libau, Memel, and Riga. Germans also used Scandinavian ports (especially Copenhagen), | ||
British ports (Queenstown, Glasgow, Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle, and Edinburgh), and other French and Northern Italian ports. No passenger lists are known to have survived. | British ports (Queenstown, Glasgow, Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle, and Edinburgh), and other French and Northern Italian ports. No passenger lists are known to have survived. | ||
| Line 209: | Line 199: | ||
Country, Province or Region Name- Emigration and Immigration | Country, Province or Region Name- Emigration and Immigration | ||
Lists of websites useful for locating German places of origin is found at | Lists of websites useful for locating German places of origin is found at | ||
https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Germany_Emigration_and_Immigration | https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Germany_Emigration_and_Immigration | ||
REMEMBER: 90% of all places of origins are found by examining American sources very carefully. | REMEMBER: 90% of all places of origins are found by examining American sources very carefully. | ||
Use every possible avenue in order to find the place of origin for your Immigrant ancestor. | |||
And "never, never give up!” | Use every possible avenue in order to find the place of origin for your Immigrant ancestor. | ||
And "never, never give up!” | |||
[[Category: Czech Republic]] | [[Category: Czech Republic]] | ||