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U.S. Immigration and Emigration Class Handout (view source)
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Courtesy of Jill Shoemaker, Riverton FamilySearch Library - with information from [[United States Emigration and Immigration|United States Emigration and Immigration]] Wiki article. | Courtesy of Jill Shoemaker, Riverton FamilySearch Library - with information from [[United States Emigration and Immigration|United States Emigration and Immigration]] Wiki article. | ||
Courtesy of Jill Shoemaker - with information from [[United States Emigration and Immigration|United States Emigration and Immigration]]. | |||
==='''Immigration and Emigration'''=== | ==='''Immigration and Emigration'''=== | ||
Nearly '''''fifty million people have immigrated''''' to the United States, including one or more of your ancestors' | Nearly '''''fifty million people have immigrated''''' to the United States, including one or more of your ancestors. '''Immigration''' refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, '''Emigration''' refers to people leaving a country to go to another, and migration refers to people leaving one area of a country and going to another area of the same country (such as from the East coast to the West coast). Searching immigration and emigration records may provide the vital link to the country of origin, depending on the time period.<br> | ||
Emigrants left their own countries to come to the United States for several reasons. They may have felt compelled to leave due to religious persecution, economic hardship, war, and mandatory military conscription. Some people have been forced to come to the United States as slaves or convicts. Or emigrants may have chosen to leave their homes to have the chance to own land, to have regular jobs, and religious freedom. Other family members may have already immigrated to the United States and encouraged their family to join them. | Emigrants left their own countries to come to the United States for several reasons. They may have felt compelled to leave due to religious persecution, economic hardship, war, and mandatory military conscription. Some people have been forced to come to the United States as slaves or convicts. Or emigrants may have chosen to leave their homes to have the chance to own land, to have regular jobs, and religious freedom. Other family members may have already immigrated to the United States and encouraged their family to join them. | ||
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==='''BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO ACQUIRE BEFORE SEARCHING PASSENGER LISTS'''=== | ==='''BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO ACQUIRE BEFORE SEARCHING PASSENGER LISTS'''=== | ||
*Before searching passenger lists, learn everything you can about your immigrant ancestor from other sources, so that you will be able to: | *Before searching passenger lists, learn everything you can about your immigrant ancestor from other sources, so that you will be able to: | ||
**'''''Identify him in relevant passenger records.''''' | |||
**'''''Distinguish him from others of the same name.''''' | |||
**'''''Concentrate your efforts in the right time period and location.''''' | |||
*Knowing your ancestor’s | *Knowing your ancestor’s full name, approximate date of arrival in the United States, approximate age on arrival to the United States, the likely port of arrival, the name of their spouse, their religion, and their occupation can all help in identifying your ancestor in passenger lists.<br> | ||
*'''A Note about Names:''' It is important to understand that many | *'''A Note about Names:''' It is important to understand that many immigrant names were '''misspelled, misunderstood'''because of heavy accents or the lack of the ability to speak English, or '''Americanized'''. John Black in the United States may have been Johannes Schwartz in the homeland. A name may have been '''lengthened or shortened'''. For example, Wise may have once been Weisen and before that Weisenberg and earlier still Weisenberger. This makes searching a passenger list index for your ancestor a real challenge. | ||
===='''Helpful Immigration Information from Census Records:'''==== | ===='''Helpful Immigration Information from Census Records:'''==== | ||
*Many census schedules required information that is helpful in determining when your ancestor immigrated. | *Many census schedules required information that is helpful in determining when your ancestor immigrated. | ||
::The 1820, 1830, and 1840 censuses had a column for the | ::The 1820, 1830, and 1840 censuses had a column for the '''number of foreigners in a household.''' | ||
::From the 1850 census to the present, ages and birth places of each individual are listed. | ::From the 1850 census to the present, ages and '''birth places''' of each individual are listed. | ||
::The 1870 census had a column for male citizens of 21 years of age and older. | ::The 1870 census had a column for male '''citizens''' of 21 years of age and older. | ||
::The 1880 through 1940 censuses asked for the place of birth of the parents. The 1910 and 1920 censuses asked for the native tongue of the respondent and in 1920 the native tongue of both the respondent and the parents. | ::The 1880 through 1940 censuses asked for the '''place of birth of the parents'''. The 1910 and 1920 censuses asked for the '''native tongue''' of the respondent and in 1920 the native tongue of both the respondent and the parents. | ||
::The 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 census each had a citizenship column showing NA (naturalized), PA (first papers or declaration of intention), AL (alien—not naturalized), and year of immigration. Census records can be found at FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and many other websites.<br> | ::The 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 census each had a '''citizenship column''' showing NA (naturalized), PA (first papers or declaration of intention), AL (alien—not naturalized), and year of immigration. Census records can be found at FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and many other websites.<br> | ||
*While searching the census, note who the relatives, friends, and neighbors of the immigrant were. Many immigrants traveled in groups or settled among friends and relatives from their native land. Knowing the names of some relatives and friends of your ancestor will help identify him on a passenger list. And remember it wasn’t uncommon for one member of the family to come to the United States first and send for the rest of the family after getting established. | *While searching the census, note who the '''relatives, friends, and neighbors''' of the immigrant were. Many immigrants traveled in groups or settled among friends and relatives from their native land. Knowing the names of some relatives and friends of your ancestor will help identify him on a passenger list. And remember it wasn’t uncommon for one member of the family to come to the United States first and send for the rest of the family after getting established. | ||
===='''Clues from County and Family Histories:'''==== | ===='''Clues from County and Family Histories:'''==== | ||
'''County histories''' have been written since the late 1800s, and they included biographies of many citizens of the county. Look for your immigrant ancestor as well as other family members, such as siblings and children. Also, look for any family histories written about your ancestor as their immigration may have already been researched. Look at FamilySearch, Ancestry, or do a Google search. | |||
===='''Military Records:'''==== | ===='''Military Records:'''==== | ||
Military records, such as | Military records, such as enlistment records, pension records, draft registrations, discharge records, and personnel files may also give a clue as to where your ancestor was born. Military records can be found at FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, and Fold3.com. | ||
===='''Church Records'''==== | ===='''Church Records'''==== | ||
Church records are another source that may lead to information about your | Church records are another source that may lead to information about your ancestor’s birth place. New immigrants generally attended the '''same church in the new country''' that they had in the old country. Church records can be found at FamilySearch.org and USGenWeb.org. | ||
===='''Relatives'''==== | ===='''Relatives'''==== | ||
Talk to a family member and distant relatives about your ancestor's birthplace, family stories, and traditions. Ask if there are any existing | Talk to a family member and distant relatives about your ancestor's birthplace, family stories, and traditions. Ask if there are any existing keepsakes relating to your ancestors immigration, such as '''tickets, newspaper clippings, letters, or naturalization papers'''. | ||
===='''Obituaries and Headstones'''==== | ===='''Obituaries and Headstones'''==== | ||
Obituaries are an excellent source of | Obituaries are an excellent source of biographical information about immigrants. In addition to names and death dates, you can learn about '''surviving family members, church affiliations, spouses, parents, occupations, burial places, and hometowns in the old country'''. Even if a place of origin is not given, an obituary may provide additional research clues, such as the date or ship of immigration or traveling companions. Obituaries can be found at Newspaper Archives, Chronicling America, World Vital Records, USGenWeb Archives Obituary Project, Ancestry.com, and Fold3.com. Headstones might have immigration information, also. Headstones can be found at FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. | ||
===='''Vital Records'''==== | ===='''Vital Records'''==== | ||
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*After '''''Castle Garden''''' was closed in 1890, immigrants were processed at an old barge office in Manhattan until December 1891. The barge office was used again as a temporary center from June 1897 until December 1900 after a fire destroyed the first Ellis Island immigration center. | *After '''''Castle Garden''''' was closed in 1890, immigrants were processed at an old barge office in Manhattan until December 1891. The barge office was used again as a temporary center from June 1897 until December 1900 after a fire destroyed the first Ellis Island immigration center. | ||
*'''Ellis Island''' first'''''opened in January 1892''''' and was used until June 1897 when a fire destroyed the building. Some administrative records and New York immigration passenger lists were destroyed in the fire, but the customs passenger lists were kept elsewhere and were kept intact. Ellis Island reopened in December 1900 and was used until 1924. | *'''Ellis Island''' first '''''opened in January 1892''''' and was used until June 1897 when a fire destroyed the building. Some administrative records and New York immigration passenger lists were destroyed in the fire, but the customs passenger lists were kept elsewhere and were kept intact. Ellis Island reopened in December 1900 and was used until 1924. | ||
*Ellis Island was sometimes called the Great Hall of Ellis Island or the Hall of Tears. Here doctors looked for signs of sickness or infirmity. Families may have been separated, as inspectors accepted some and rejected others. About 98% of the immigrants passed all inspection, with 2% being rejected and deported. The immigrants took great care to create the impression that they could make a living in America. 5,000 new immigrants a day were processed at Ellis Island during its peak years. A total of 23,960,000 immigrants passed through the port of New York between 1820 and 1920. | *Ellis Island was sometimes called the Great Hall of Ellis Island or the Hall of Tears. Here doctors looked for signs of sickness or infirmity. Families may have been separated, as inspectors accepted some and rejected others. About 98% of the immigrants passed all inspection, with 2% being rejected and deported. The immigrants took great care to create the impression that they could make a living in America. 5,000 new immigrants a day were processed at Ellis Island during its peak years. A total of 23,960,000 immigrants passed through the port of New York between 1820 and 1920. | ||
*Passenger lists for immigrants passing through Ellis Island can be found at the | *Passenger lists for immigrants passing through Ellis Island can be found at the [http://www.ellisisland.org Ellis Island Website]. It is necessary to register to search the site, but it is free. | ||
==='''PRE-1820 IMMIGRATION'''=== | ==='''PRE-1820 IMMIGRATION'''=== | ||
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*In the 1770s''''' redemptioners (the equivalent of indentured servants)''''' from Germany immigrated in one of two ways. One way was for an individual to make arrangements before leaving home to work for an American farmer or tradesman for a certain number of years in return for his passage fare. The other way was for an individual to agree to be sold into servitude by the ship captain in compensation for his passage to America. Most of the redemptioners settled in Pennsylvania. | *In the 1770s''''' redemptioners (the equivalent of indentured servants)''''' from Germany immigrated in one of two ways. One way was for an individual to make arrangements before leaving home to work for an American farmer or tradesman for a certain number of years in return for his passage fare. The other way was for an individual to agree to be sold into servitude by the ship captain in compensation for his passage to America. Most of the redemptioners settled in Pennsylvania. | ||
*A good website to identify indentured servants, convict servants, or redemptioners is the | *A good website to identify indentured servants, convict servants, or redemptioners is the [http://www.pricegen.com/immigrantservants/search/simple.php Immigrant Servants Database ] sponsored by Price and Associates. | ||
===='''Pre-1820 Passenger Lists:'''==== | ===='''Pre-1820 Passenger Lists:'''==== | ||
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'''Pre-1820 Passenger Lists Online:''' | '''Pre-1820 Passenger Lists Online:''' | ||
Some passenger lists for this time period include: | Some passenger lists for this time period include: | ||
*William P. Filby’s Passenger and Immigration Lists Index is an invaluable resource created by indexing thousands of different records. | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7486 William P. Filby’s Passenger and Immigration Lists Index] is an invaluable resource created by indexing thousands of different records. The original sources that are listed in Filby’s index may be available at the Family History Library (do a catalog search) or at local public or university libraries. | ||
*An excellent source for early passenger lists of immigrants to New England between 1620 and 1640 is | *An excellent source for early passenger lists of immigrants to New England between 1620 and 1640 is [http://www.greatmigration.org The Great Migration Project, 1620-1635] sponsored by The New England Historical and Genealogical Society (NEHGS). The database is also available at Ancestry.com. | ||
* | *[http://packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600s] sponsored by Packrat Productions includes the names of over 7100 families and 250 ships. | ||
==='''1820-1880 IMMIGRATION'''=== | ==='''1820-1880 IMMIGRATION'''=== | ||
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==='''1820-1880 Passenger Lists Online:'''=== | ==='''1820-1880 Passenger Lists Online:'''=== | ||
Some passenger lists for this time period include: | Some passenger lists for this time period include: | ||
*United States Famine Irish Passenger Index, 1846-1851 | *[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110821 United States Famine Irish Passenger Index, 1846-1851]. Digital images of this database can be found at the [http://aad.archives.gov/aad/fielded-search.jsp?dt=180&cat=GP44&tf=F&bc=sl National Archives] and at [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/irish-famine-immigrants-1846-1851 FindMyPast.com], ($). | ||
*United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897 | *[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110801 United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897] | ||
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110811 United States Italians to America Index, 1855-1900] | |||
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110813 United States Russians to America Index, 1834-1897] | |||
*To find an LDS pioneer immigrant, search the | *To find an LDS pioneer immigrant, search the [http://www.lib.byu.edu/mormonmigration Mormon Immigration Index] sponsored by Brigham Young University. To see pictures of the ships LDS pioneers sailed on, go to LDS Emigrant Roster and Voyage History, Crossing the Ocean, 1840-1869 in the FamilySearch catalog while in a Family History Center to view the digitized book Ships, Saints and Mariners: A Maritime Encyclopedia of Mormon Migration, 1830-1890, by Conway B. Sonne. | ||
* | *[http://www.slavevoyages.org/tast/index.faces Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Website]. Information on almost 35,000 slaving voyages from the years 1514 to 1866. | ||
* | *[http://www.theshipslist.com The Ships List]. | ||
==='''IMMIGRATION - 1880 TO PRESENT'''=== | ==='''IMMIGRATION - 1880 TO PRESENT'''=== | ||
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Information given on passenger lists from 1891 to 1954 included name, age, sex, nationality, occupation, marital status, last residence, final destination in the U.S., whether they had been to the U.S. before (and if so, when, where and how long), if joining a relative and who this person was and where they lived and their relationship, whether able to read and write, whether in possession of a train ticket to their final destination, who paid for the passage, amount of money the immigrant had in their possession, whether the passenger had ever been in prison, a poorhouse, or in an institution for the insane, or was a polygamist, and immigrant's state of health. In 1906, the physical description and place of birth were included, and a year later, the name and address of the passenger’s closest living relative in the country of origin was included. | Information given on passenger lists from 1891 to 1954 included name, age, sex, nationality, occupation, marital status, last residence, final destination in the U.S., whether they had been to the U.S. before (and if so, when, where and how long), if joining a relative and who this person was and where they lived and their relationship, whether able to read and write, whether in possession of a train ticket to their final destination, who paid for the passage, amount of money the immigrant had in their possession, whether the passenger had ever been in prison, a poorhouse, or in an institution for the insane, or was a polygamist, and immigrant's state of health. In 1906, the physical description and place of birth were included, and a year later, the name and address of the passenger’s closest living relative in the country of origin was included. | ||
When searching a passenger list, remember that some of the lists consist of two pages. Always check to see if there is a second page and extract all the details of your ancestor that you find in a passenger list. Not only is it exciting to learn personal details about an ancestor, but the other details, added to any other information you have about your ancestor, will help you be able to be successful in going back further on your family tree. | *When searching a passenger list, remember that some of the lists consist of two pages. Always check to see if there is a second page and extract all the details of your ancestor that you find in a passenger list. Not only is it exciting to learn personal details about an ancestor, but the other details, added to any other information you have about your ancestor, will help you be able to be successful in going back further on your family tree. | ||
==='''ONLINE IMMIGRATION RECORDS'''=== | ==='''ONLINE IMMIGRATION RECORDS'''=== | ||
*FamilySearch.org: | *[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1?region=United+States+of+America FamilySearch.org]: Under '''United States Image Only Historical Records''', scroll down to “Migration and Naturalization” and click on the specific record you want to search. This allows you to view browse images as well as indexed images. | ||
* | *[[United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records|United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records]] | ||
* | *See [[Tracing Immigrant Origins|Tracing Immigrant Origins]] for more links to passenger lists. | ||
* | *[http://search.ancestry.com/search/category.aspx?cat=40 Ancestry.com, “IMMIGRATION & TRAVEL” ], ($). Narrow the search by clicking on a specific category, or a featured data collection. Note that there are several articles about finding an immigrant ancestor. | ||
* | *[https://archive.org/search.php?query=Passenger%20Lists Internet Archive, "Passenger Lists"] <br> | ||
*[https://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-list.jsp?cat=GP44 The National Archives, "Passenger Lists"] <br> | |||
*WorldVitalRecords.com has over 40 million names in their more than 100 immigration databases. | *[http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/contentsearch.aspx?placeheader=state&rt=immigration WorldVitalRecords.com] has over 40 million names in their more than 100 immigration databases. | ||
*Cyndislist.com | *[http://www.cyndislist.com/ships/ Cyndislist.com, Ships & Passenger Lists] | ||
*One Step Search by Steve Morse | *[http://www.stephenmorse.org One Step Search by Steve Morse] includes advanced search forms for many popular immigration databases. | ||
*The German Roots website by Joe Beine offers resources and links to both German and all other immigration resources | *[http://www.germanroots.com The German Roots website] by Joe Beine offers resources and links to both German and all other immigration resources. | ||
* | *[http://www.genealogybranches.com/arrivalports.html Tips for Determining Your Ancestor’s Probable Port of Arrival] by Joe Beine. | ||
* | *[http://www.genesearch.com/ports.html US Ports of Arrival and their Available Passenger Lists 1820-1957] by Joe Beine. | ||
* | *[http://www.immigrantships.net Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild] has ships passenger lists for a variety of years. | ||
* | *[http://barbsnow.net/Passenger.htm Your Guide to Finding and Using Passenger Records & Ship Information] by Bobbie's Genealogy Classroom provides instructional information. | ||
* [http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/manifests A Guide to Interpreting Passenger List Annotations] by Marian L. Smith. | |||
==='''OTHER IMMIGRATION RESOURCES'''=== | ==='''OTHER IMMIGRATION RESOURCES'''=== | ||
*'''Immigration Records on Microfilm''' at the Family History Library | *[https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bsubject%3AUnited%20%2Bsubject%3AStates%20%2Bsubject%3AEmigration%20%2Bsubject%3Aand%20%2Bsubject%3AImmigration '''Immigration Records on Microfilm''' at the Family History Library] | ||
*'''Learning Videos''' | *[https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/results.html?fq=subjects_en%3A%22Migration%20and%20citizenship%2F%22 '''Learning Videos''', FamilySearch.org] Click on one of 32 videos dealing with immigration. | ||
==='''BORDER CROSSINGS'''=== | ==='''BORDER CROSSINGS'''=== | ||
*'''Canadian Border Crossings''': For some years it was cheaper for immigrants to travel from Europe to Canada, especially the ports of Quebec City and Halifax, and then cross the border into America. Official border crossing records from Canada to the United States began in 1895. From 1895 to 1914 the records include all Canadian seaports and train arrival stations from Washington State to Maine. From 1915-1954, the records include train arrival stations along the northern borders of New York and Vermont. Individuals who crossed the border by horse, car, or on foot, rather than by train, are not in these records. | *'''Canadian Border Crossings''': For some years it was cheaper for immigrants to travel from Europe to Canada, especially the ports of Quebec City and Halifax, and then cross the border into America. Official border crossing records from Canada to the United States began in 1895. From 1895 to 1914 the records include all Canadian seaports and train arrival stations from Washington State to Maine. From 1915-1954, the records include train arrival stations along the northern borders of New York and Vermont. Individuals who crossed the border by horse, car, or on foot, rather than by train, are not in these records. | ||
* | *{{RecordSearch|1803785|United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956}} | ||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1075 Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956] ($) | |||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1070 Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1963], ($) | |||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1344 Border Crossings: From U.S. to Canada, 1908-1935] Some records in French.($) | |||
*'''Mexican Border Crossings:''' Numerous immigrants from Mexico crossed the border to Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas in the late 19th and early 20th century. Official immigration lists for border crossings began in 1906 for Mexico. | *'''Mexican Border Crossings:''' Numerous immigrants from Mexico crossed the border to Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas in the late 19th and early 20th century. Official immigration lists for border crossings began in 1906 for Mexico. | ||
* | *{{RecordSearch|1803932|United States Border Crossings from Mexico to United States, 1903-1957}} | ||
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1082 Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964] ($) | |||
==='''EMIGRATION OR DEPARTURE RECORDS:'''=== | ==='''EMIGRATION OR DEPARTURE RECORDS:'''=== | ||
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==='''SUMMARY'''=== | ==='''SUMMARY'''=== | ||
Learning the origins of your immigrant ancestor and the story of their voyage from the old land to the new land may take some work and many sources may need to be searched, but if your ancestor’s origins and story of immigration can be found, it will be well worth the effort. Be sure to add this life changing event to your ancestor’s history. | Learning the origins of your immigrant ancestor and the story of their voyage from the old land to the new land may take some work and many sources may need to be searched, but if your ancestor’s origins and story of immigration can be found, it will be well worth the effort. Be sure to add this life changing event to your ancestor’s history. | ||
[[Category:United States]] | [[Category:United States]] | ||