How to Search for Immigration Records

Research immigration records from places such as Ellis Island.

You can research Immigration records to find accompanying passengers, biographic data about immigrants, criminal records, and other details about their lives and travels. Sometimes personal diaries are also available. This information can be useful in augmenting family history and genealogy or proving lineage for acceptance to exclusive organizations such as Daughters of the British Empire, Sons of Norway, Daughters of American Colonist and other such organizations.

Instructions

1. Enter information about the immigrant at websites such as The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., Castle Garden, or Ancestors On Board to find information about the immigrants and who may have been traveling with them.

2. Visit the National Archives and Records Administration. Locate the film that contains the immigration records you are seeking and view it on the microfilm readers available in the reading room. A microfilm list is available online to help you prepare before your visit for which microfilm is needed and its availability. Help is available from the workers once you arrive from the site.

3. Search Ancestry for immigration records by the name of the immigrant. Enter the name of the immigrant and as much other information as you know and click "Search." You must accept a free 14 day trial or already have a paid subscription to Ancestry in order to view the records online.

References

• National Archives and Records Administration: Immigration Records
• Ancestry: Immigration and Travel Records
• Naturalization Records

Resources

• The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
• Castle Garden: Search
• Sons of Norway
• Ancestors On Board
• Daughters of the British Empire
• Daughters of American Colonists