When my husband and I visited England and Scotland, we naturally had to return home. But our ancestors left their homes in search of something better. On the way, they left a trail of records that can help us trace that journey. In this blog post, we’ll walk through documents that show immigration and arrival into the United States, where to find them, and how to use them in your family history research.
Our ancestors have been coming to the United States for centuries. In the early days, there wasn’t much in the way of documentation. As time went on, more and more questions were asked which means more information for you.
Let’s take a closer look at what records will tell your ancestor’s immigration story.
Immigration vs Emigration
Family history terms can sometimes be tricky. Let’s get this one right. Immigration and emigration describe two sides of the same journey.
Immigration means coming into a new country to live, while emigration means leaving one’s homeland to settle somewhere else.
For example, your ancestor who left Ireland was an emigrant from Ireland but an immigrant to the United States. Understanding these terms helps you search records on both sides of the ocean, departure lists in the home country and arrival records in the new one.
Early Immigration
Most people think of Ellis Island when they research their ancestors’ immigration, but it didn’t open until 1892. It was because of the Steerage Act of 1819 that the U.S. government started requiring passenger lists in January 1820. Between 1820 and 1855, immigrants arrived at many U.S. ports such as Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Savannah, New Orleans, and more.
It wasn’t until August 1855 that Castle Garden, New York, became the first official processing center. Here’s the 1843 passenger list for my 3rd great-grandfather and his family:
His name is John Astle, but it was recorded as Austall. Remember that passengers spoke their names to people who may not have understood their accents. It took a page-by-page search to find this family. This is my only ancestor, so far, who arrived through the port of New York. Most of mine came through Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Castle Garden closed in 1890 when Ellis Island became the new processing center. Ellis Island officially opened on January 1, 1892 and stayed open until 1954.
Passenger Lists
Passenger lists are one of the most familiar sources for proving someone came into the U.S. These lists were created when ships arrived in American ports. They often include:
- Name of the passenger
- Age, sex, and occupation
- Nationality or birthplace
- Final destination
- Name of the ship and date of arrival
After 1907, they got even more detailed, listing the passenger’s last residence, closest relative in their home country, and who they were joining in the U.S. These later documents are two pages, so don’t forget to look at the next page.
Where to find them:
Passenger lists are available at Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and the Ellis Island website.
Tip: Always check alternate spellings. Clerks often wrote down names phonetically, so your ancestor’s name might look different than you expect (like John Astle).
Border Crossing Records
Not all immigrants arrived by ship. Many entered the U.S. through land borders, especially from Canada or Mexico.
Canadian border crossings (1895–1960):
These records often list name, age, birthplace, and final destination. Some even include the name of the person’s nearest relative in the country they came from.
Mexican border crossings (1895–1964):
If your ancestor came from Mexico or through Mexico, these cards include physical descriptions, birthplaces, and sometimes photographs.
Where to find them:
Both sets of border crossing records are available at Ancestry and FamilySearch. Try collections such as U.S., Border Crossings from Canada, 1895–1960 or U.S., Border Crossings from Mexico, 1895–1964.
Here is the border crossing for my husband’s 85-year-old, 2nd great-grandmother, Elizabeth Carmichael, in 1916.
Tip: Even if your ancestor originally arrived by ship, they may appear later in border crossing records if they traveled back and forth for work or to visit family. Or it could have been cheaper to cross the Atlantic into Canada and then make the rest of the journey into the U.S. on foot or by train.
Naturalization Records
Once immigrants settled in the U.S., many applied for citizenship. The naturalization process created several types of records that can help document your ancestors’ arrival in the U.S.
- Declaration of Intention (First Papers): Stated the immigrant’s intent to become a citizen. Usually includes birth, port of arrival, and ship name.
- Petition for Naturalization (Second Papers): The final step, often lists the exact date and place of arrival.
- Certificate of Naturalization: The official proof of citizenship, usually given after approval.
Where to find them:
Naturalization records can be found in local, state, and federal court records. Many are online at Ancestry and FamilySearch. For records after 1906, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Genealogy Program is another source.
Tip: Early naturalizations (before 1906) were handled by local courts and may not have detailed information. Keep track of where the record was filed because it may give clues to where your ancestor lived at the time.
Passenger Manifests and Alien Registration Files
If your ancestor arrived between 1917 and 1954, you may find more detailed “passenger manifests.” These forms, created under immigration laws passed in the early 20th century, can include:
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Name and address of nearest relative in the home country
- Name and address of person they were joining in the U.S.
During World War II, all non-citizens in the U.S. were required to register with the government. These Alien Registration Forms (AR-2) include birth information, entry date, and sometimes physical descriptions or photos.
Where to find them:
Some are on Ancestry and FamilySearch, even if only an indexed record. Alien registration records are held by the USCIS. You can request a copy through their genealogy program if your ancestor’s file is over 100 years old.
Passport Applications
If your ancestor became a U.S. citizen and then traveled abroad, a passport application can confirm their earlier arrival. These applications often list:
- Birthplace and date
- Naturalization details
- When and how they came to the U.S.
They may even include a photograph after 1914.
Where to find them:
The U.S. Passport Applications, 1795–1925 collection on Ancestry is a great place to start.
Tip: Some early passports were issued by states before the federal government took over the process. If your ancestor traveled before 1795, check state archives.
I had a distant ancestor whose passport application revealed a story that no other record could. You can read that HERE.
Immigration and Ship Crew Lists
Not all travelers were passengers. Some ancestors worked on the ships that brought others to America. Crew lists can also confirm arrival. These lists record sailors, cooks, and laborers who made repeated trips between ports.
Where to find them:
Ancestry and FamilySearch have many different choices for “crew lists”.
Census Records
While not an immigration record, U.S. census records can give you arrival information. Many censuses asked for the year of immigration, year of naturalization, and citizenship status (“Al” for Alien, “Na” for Naturalized, or “Pa” for papers filed).
Look for the following census years:
- 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930
Tip: Compare census data with passenger lists to see if the dates are the same. Remember, you don’t know who provided the census information, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t always agree.
Newspapers, Obituaries, and Diaries
Local newspapers often published stories about immigrants, naturalizations, or ship arrivals. You might find a “welcome home” article, a passenger list, or a naturalization notice.
Where to find them:
Try Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, or Chronicling America through the Library of Congress.
Tip: Search beyond the arrival date. Some immigrants were mentioned years later when they became citizens or returned home to visit. Make sure to look for newspapers near the port where you think your ancestors arrived.
Many people recorded their journey in diaries. Are there family members who have them, or can you find them online? Perhaps. You might also find documentation of through another passenger who isn’t your ancestor. That might take some digging, but don’t you think it’s worth the effort?
Using Multiple Sources Together
One record usually doesn’t tell the whole story. Use several sources together:
- Start with the census to get an approximate immigration year.
- Find a matching passenger list or border crossing record.
- Look for a naturalization record that confirms the same date or port.
Each record adds another layer of proof and helps you build a timeline of your ancestor’s journey and a more complete picture of their family history.
Finally
Tracing your ancestor’s arrival in America takes patience, but it’s worth the effort. Passenger lists, border crossings, naturalization papers, and more record the day they officially became part of their new country. And together they tell one of the most meaningful stories in your family history.
Genealogy tip: Go beyond the records. If you can find the name of the ship your ancestor sailed on, Google its name. You’ll often see pictures and find out much more about the ship’s history and voyages.
