Michigan, Wayne, Detroit, Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

Michigan

Wayne

Detroit

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Michigan, Detroit Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954 CID1916040 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
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Detroit, Wayne, Michigan,  United States
Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1896-1908 (45 stars)
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Location of the United States of America
Record Description
Record Type	Card Manifest of Arrivals
Record Group	RG 85: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
Collection years	1906-1954
Microfilm Publication	M1478. Card Manifests (Alphabetical) of Entries through the Port of Detroit, MI, 1905-1954. 117 rolls
FamilySearch Resources
Michigan Guided Research
Michigan Record Finder
Research Tips and Strategies
Step-by-Step Research
Michigan
Michigan Emigration and Immigration
Michigan Archives and Libraries
Related Websites
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society Great Lakes Vessel Enrollment Database
US Ports of Arrival and their Available Passenger Lists 1820-1957
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Immigration and Naturalization Laws
NARA Immigration Records
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration

What is in This Collection?

This is an alphabetical card file manifest of individuals entering the United States through the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954. Includes a few records of persons entering at Port Huron, Sault St. Marie, and other Michigan ports. Corresponds to NARA Publication M1478: Card Manifests (Alphabetical) of Individuals Entering Through the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954

Passenger arrival lists known as customs manifests date back to 1820. Congressional action in 1891 resulted in federal immigration officials recording the immigrants’ arrival. 

To Browse This Collection

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Michigan, Detroit Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954.

Image Visibility

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What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Manifest The index cards may contain all or part of the following information:

• Name of passenger, including maiden name of women
• Port and date of departure
• Port and date of entry
• Name of ship
• Country of citizenship
• Names of persons accompanying passenger
• Age, gender, marital status and occupation of passenger
• Date and place of birth of passenger
• Address of last permanent residence
• Name and address of friend or relative at last address
• Final destination
• Name and address of friend or relative in U.S.
• Physical description and distinguishing marks
• Who paid for passage
• Purpose of visit

Collection Content

Sample Images

• Arrivals at the Port of Detroit, Michigan
• 

  1949 Index Card, front

• 

  1949 Index Card, back

How Do I Search This Collection?

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

• The full name of your ancestor
• The approximate date of immigration

If you do not know this information, check the census records after 1900.

Search the Index

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.

1. Enter the information in the fields in the Search Collection section or click More Options to see additional fields
2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page:

1. Select the Name Range 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?

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

• Add any new information to your records

Use passenger lists to:

• Learn an immigrant’s place of origin
• Confirm their date of arrival
• Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
• Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests
• Continue to search the passenger lists to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have immigrated at the same time

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

• Check for variant spellings of the name
• Look for other indexes. Records are often indexed by local historical and genealogical societies
• Search the passenger lists year by year
• Search the indexes of other port cities

Research Helps

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

• Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
• Michigan Guided Research
• Research Tips and Strategies
• Step-by-Step Research

Known Issues

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

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 Citing this Collection.

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.

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