Massachusetts, Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

Massachusetts

Suffolk

Boston

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Massachusetts, Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, 1921-1949 CID2526178 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
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Boston,Suffolk,Massachusetts, United States
Flag of the United States of America
Flag of the United States (1912-1959)
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Record Description
Record Type	Passenger lists Index
Record Group	RG 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Collection years	1921-1949
Microfilm Publication	A3453. Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, 1921-1949. 4 rolls.
National Archives Identifier	4477836
FamilySearch Resources
Massachusetts Guided Research
Massachusetts Record Finder
Research Tips and Strategies
Step-by-Step Research
United States Emigration and Immigration
Massachusetts Emigration and Immigration
Searching Passenger Lists
US Immigration Finding the Place of Origin
Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
Related Websites
NARA Immigration Records
Immigration and Naturalization Laws
NARA Ship Passenger Arrival records
NARA Naturalization Records
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration

What is in This Collection?

This collection contains an index (about 70,000 cards) to passenger lists of vessels arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, 1921-1949. The cards are most often arranged alphabetically by surname, then reverse chronological order by year of arrival, then by volume number. Each card contains the surname, first name, age, gender, and the line, page, and volume number on which each person is recorded on the related passenger list. Images are originally housed at the National Archives and Records Administration (A3453).

Image Visibility

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To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Massachusetts, Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, 1921-1949.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

• Full Name
• Age
• Birth year
• Birthplace
• Port of arrival
• Arrival date

Collection Content

Sample Images

• 

  Passenger index card

How Do I Search This Collection?

Search the Index

Search by name on the 2526178 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

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?

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

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

• Use the age to calculate a birth date
• Use the name, date, group, and list number to obtain additional immigration information from the National Archives
• Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may also have immigrated
• 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 on more than one card 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
• Search the indexes and records of other port cities

Research Helps

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

• Searching Passenger Lists
• US Immigration Finding the Place of Origin
• Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
• Massachusetts Guided Research
• Research Tips and Strategies
• Step-by-Step Research

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

• Massachusetts, Boston Passenger List Index, 1899-1940
• Massachusetts, Index to Boston Passenger Lists, 1848-1891
• Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1891 -1943

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: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.

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

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