United States, Panama Canal Zone, Employment Records and Sailing lists - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

Panama Canal Zone

Access the Records
United States, Panama Canal Zone, Employment Records and Sailing lists, 1905-1937 CID2193241 {{{CID2}}} {{{CID3}}} {{{CID4}}} {{{CID5}}} {{{CID6}}} {{{CID7}}} {{{CID8}}} {{{CID9}}}
This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.
Panama Canal Zone, United States
Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1896-1908 (45 stars)
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
Record Description
Record Type	Employment and Sailing Lists
Record Group	RG 185: Records of the Panama Canal, 1848-1999
Collection years	1905-1937
National Archives Identifier	514
FamilySearch Resources
United States Guided Research
United States Record Finder
Research Tips and Strategies
Panama Genealogy
Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone Records
United States
Related Websites
NARA Article on Panama Canal Research
National Archives Records of the Panama Canal
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration

What is in This Collection?

The collection consists of an index and images of employee records (service history cards), sailing lists of contract laborers, and employee identification records (metal check cards and applications). This collection corresponds to NARA Record Group 185, Records of the Panama Canal, 1848-1999. Index to applications for Photo Metal Checks, 1918-1919.

• Metal Check Issue Cards NAID 7226555
• Applications for Photo-Metal Check, 7/1918-7/1919 NAID 6821421
• Sailing Lists of Contract Laborers,1905-1910 NAID 7226554
• Service Record Cards, 1904-1920 NAID 7226556

• 

  Panama Canal Zone map

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 United States, Panama Canal Zone, Employment Records and Sailing lists, 1905-1937.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

• Name
• Age
• Birthplace
• Residence
• Change in status
• Position or job
• Service dates
• Salary
• Where Appointed
• File number
• Remarks

Collection Content

Sample Images

• 

  Service Record Card (front)

• 

  Service Record Card (back)

• 

  List of Contract Laborers

How Do I Search This Collection?

To begin your search it is helpful to know:

• The full name of your ancestor
• The birth date and birth place of your ancestor
• The residence of your ancestor
• The approximate dates of employment

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 Collection Browse Page:

1. Select Record Description 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?

When you have located your ancestor’s employment record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details about your ancestor. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

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

• Compile a list of other personnel with the same surname. This is especially helpful if the surname is unusual
• When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct

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 another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
• Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
• 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 that may be your ancestor

Research Helps

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.

• United States Guided Research
• United States Record Finder
• Research Tips and Strategies

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.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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