United States, Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

*Texas:Galveston  

*Virginia:Alexandria,East River,Hampton,Norfolk,Portsmouth,Petersburg,Richmond

Ship captains kept lists of passengers to manage their finances and prevent stowaways. Later, immigration laws increased the need for passenger lists, which grew in detail. Eventually the Federal Government began to store immigrant documentation. These lists were first created to keep track of a captain's shipment and paying passengers. Later, they became a means to document immigration to the United States. Although generally reliable, passenger lists were handwritten, causing possible spelling errors.  

=== Image Visibility ===

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=== To Browse This Collection ===

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|title=United States, Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874

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== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==

The following information may be found in these records:

''Passenger arrivals'''

*Passenger's name [Given and Family Name]  

*Name of Vessel  

*Date of arrival

== Collection Content  ==

=== Sample Image ===

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Image:Index to passenger lists of Vessels Arriving at Atlantic and Gulf coast ports 004882056 05185.jpg|1853 Passenger List Index

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== How Do I Search This Collection?  ==

*The port of arrival

*The names of other family members who may have immigrated with your ancestor

{{Search Collection Link

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View images in this collection by visiting the '''{{RecordSearch|1921756|Browse Page|access=browse}}''':

# Select '''Surname Range''' to view the images.

{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/1921756 United States Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}

=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===  

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images.  Keep track of your research in a [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log | research log]].

== What Do I Do Next? ==

=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?  ===

*Continue to search the index and records to identify other relatives

*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct

*You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination

*Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur

=== I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now? ===

*Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names

*Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records

*Search the indexes and records of other ports such as New York or Boston

*Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals with the same family number

=== Research Helps ===

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in [[United States Genealogy|the United States]].

* [[United States Record Finder]]

* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]

==Known Issues==

== Citing This Collection ==

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

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