United States, California, San Francisco, Registers of Chinese Laborers Returning to the U.S. - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

California

San Francisco

Access the Records
CID3233819 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
This article describes a collection of records scheduled to become available at FamilySearch.org.
San Francisco, California, United States
Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1891-1896 (44 stars)
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
Record Description
Record Group	RG 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
Collection years	1882-1888
Microfilm Publication	A3362. Partnership Lists of Chinese Firms in San Francisco, California and Nationwide, 1893-1907; and Index to Chinese Departing from San Francisco, 1912-1943. 2 rolls.
National Archives Identifier	4497917 414
Language	English
FamilySearch Resources
California Guided Research
California Record Finder
Research Tips and Strategies
Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present
California
California Emigration and Immigration
California, San Francisco Chinese Passenger Arrivals - FamilySearch Historical Records
California Archives and Libraries
Chinese Records in the FamilySearch Library Catalog
Related Websites
NARA Prologue Article Case Files from the Chinese Exclusion Era
NARA Reference Report Chinese Immigration into the Port of San Francisco,1882-1957
NARA Collection Description A3362
US GenWeb Project
NARA Chinese Immigration
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration

What is in This Collection?

This collection contains the arrival records of Chinese laborers reentering the U.S. through the San Francisco port during 1882-1888.

Image Visibility

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for California, San Francisco, Registers of Chinese Laborers Returning to the U.S., 1882-1888.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

• Name
• Nationality
• Last place of residence
• Age
• Height
• Eye color

• Physical marks
• Previous place of residence
• Name of vessel departing U.S.
• Date of departure
• Name of vessel returning to U.S.
• Date of original arrival in U.S.
• Name of company providing transportation

Collection Content

Sample Image

• 

  1885 Register

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

• The name of your ancestor
• The age and birth place of your ancestor
• The date of departure and or destination

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.

1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page:

1. Select the NARA Roll Number to view the 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 research log.

What Do I Do Next?

Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record, if you can, to verify the information and to find additional information.

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

• Use the record to learn the place of origin and find vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage
• Use the information found in the record to find land and probate records
• Use the record to see if other family members who may have immigrated
• Search census records for the family
• Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived. Then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts, then in state, county, or city courts. An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved. Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process

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

• If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
• If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
• Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
• Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names
• Check other possible ports of entry

Research Helps

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of California.

• Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
• Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
• California Guided Research
• Research Tips and Strategies
• Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

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.

Collection Citation: A citation will be available on the Collection Details page when the collection is published.

Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.

Image Citation: When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.