FamilySearch is a valuable tool for finding US immigrant ancestors by using records from passenger lists, border crossings, and the naturalization process. To locate an immigrant’s town or village of origin, gather clues from various sources such as family letters, newspapers, obituaries, employment records, and immigration records of family members and neighbors. Canadian immigration records are also important as many immigrants took to Canada.
Passenger lists are essential for recording travelers arriving by ship, especially before widespread air travel. They list a person’s name, date, location of arrival in the US, port of departure overseas, and other details. After home sources, such as letters and family Bibles, the best place to find an immigrant’s town of origin is US naturalization records.
FamilySearch’s Where Am I From? activity allows users to see their family’s movement on a map, discover countries their ancestors lived in, and research their ethnic ancestors. The first step in determining where to search is looking at the date your ancestor immigrated and if they know where they first landed in the USA.
To discover your family history, consult documents such as birth, marriage, and death records, cemeteries and funeral homes, wills, land, German Roots, Castle Garden Records, Ellis Island Database, one-step webpages, and the FamilySearch Wiki. Census records are the perfect place to start, as they can provide approximate immigration dates for parents and their countries of origin.
In summary, FamilySearch is a valuable resource for finding US immigrant ancestors through various sources, including passenger lists, passports, naturalization documents, and other relevant documents. By utilizing these resources, you can gain valuable insights into your family history and pass it on to future generations.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| How to Trace Your Immigrant Ancestors- Getting Started | Ask your relatives what they know and see if they have any old documents that might provide information, such as birth, marriage, or death … | nps.gov |
| How to Trace Your Ancestors- Digging Deeper – Ellis Island … | You can try to learn the names of particular enslaved ancestors by starting with family sources and then working back through public records. | nps.gov |
| Genealogy | The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service program that provides researchers with timely access to historical immigration and naturalization records. | uscis.gov |
📹 Immigration and Naturalization Records
Learn Immigration and Naturalization with guest Margaret R. Fortier, Certified Genealogist. In this “footnotes” episode we talk …
How Can I Find My Family Origin?
Libraries, family history centers, genealogical societies, and non-government archival repositories are excellent sources for genealogical data, holding newspapers, personal papers, and records from private organizations. To explore your ancestry for free, utilize resources like FamilySearch, where you can access billions of profiles, photographs, and historical documents. Begin your search by entering your surname to discover its origins and your potential family lineage. You can investigate birth certificates, marriage registrations, census records, and more, aided by a community of genealogists working on a shared family tree.
With over a billion records available, including military and immigration documents, uncovering your family history is easier and more affordable than ever. Tools that combine photos and records can help you create engaging family history presentations. Genealogy sites also allow you to build your family tree and conduct thorough research. For a deeper dive, consider DNA testing to understand your ethnicity and ancestral movement.
Additionally, several platforms offer free guidance in accessing these valuable records. By understanding surname origins and utilizing various online resources, you can trace your family history effectively. Get started today to uncover your family's unique story!
How Do I Check My Family Immigration Status?
To check updates on your immigration case, you can use the online case status tool available on USCIS. gov, requiring your 13-character receipt number from your application or petition. Alternatively, if calling from the U. S., contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833. You can access your case status using your myUSCIS account or through the USCIS Case Status Online page. This resource allows you to verify your case status conveniently from home, office, or even your cell phone.
In addition to checking status, the Case Status Online page provides quick access to other tools, such as updating your address or submitting case inquiries (e-Request). If you need information about processing times, your receipt notice will have details about your form, category, and processing office.
Moreover, for those with pending immigration cases, you can request e-notifications to stay updated. Checking your case status online is straightforward, although it may feel tedious if your case remains open for an extended period. For further assistance, refer to official USCIS resources or submit inquiries directly for more specific information regarding delays or other concerns.
Can Police See Your Immigration Status?
OPS officers are prohibited from inquiring about a person's immigration status for immigration enforcement, including victims and witnesses of crimes (Gov. Code § 7284. 6(a)(1)(A)). During a traffic stop, police will request identification and a driver's license; whether immigration documents may also be requested depends on the local police department's participation in the "Secure Communities" program. It is advised not to discuss immigration status with police.
If facing criminal charges, consult with a lawyer about potential immigration consequences. If arrested, you can expect immigration officers may visit. You have the right to remain silent; do not answer questions about your immigration status or place of birth. If asked about immigration status, calmly assert your rights. If you’re not under arrest, you can leave. Upon request by police, provide your driver's license and registration, but you may refuse a search of your car. You also have the right to record police activity in public without interfering.
If confronted by ICE agents, knowing and exercising your rights is essential. Remember, local police cannot enforce immigration laws. The Third Circuit ruled that illegal searches by state law enforcement could exclude evidence in immigration court. Always seek legal counsel if questioned or detained.
What Is The Rarest Last Name?
According to MyHeritage's blog, several last names are considered "endangered," having fewer than 20 contemporary bearers. Examples include Miracle, Dankworth, Relish, and Tuffin, a name of English origin linked to the variant Tiffan and, ultimately, the Greek Theophania. The 2010 U. S. census revealed various last names held by less than 100 individuals, highlighting their rarity. With only 0. 4% of all last names classified as rare, the blog explores these unique surnames further, including the origins and cultural significance behind them.
A comprehensive list of 1, 279 names from the 2010 census identifies the rarest surnames in America, emphasizing their uniqueness. Names like Chappell, derived from Old French, and various uncommon surnames documented by research from the University of the West of England showcase the diversity present in this realm. The post also presents a list of the 100 rarest last names in the U. S., indicating how some names, such as Sellarole or far less common ones, may only be shared among a limited number of individuals globally. This exploration not only covers rare surnames but also reflects on their histories.
Can I Look Up Someone'S Immigration Status?
The Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIA) allows individuals to request their own immigration records, another person's records, or non-A-File information like policies and data through an online FOIA system. To determine a person’s immigration status, one has the option to use the E-Verify website or submit a FOIA request to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The appropriate method varies based on the reason for requesting this information.
The USCIS offers an online case status tool wherein individuals can check their immigration case status using their receipt number, which is found on official notices. Additionally, naturalization records created post-1991 are accessible through USCIS. Individuals may contact the USCIS Call Center at 1-800-375-5283 to inquire about their immigration status by providing their receipt number. The easiest way to verify a person’s immigration status and right to work is through the Home Office's online service, especially if they have a share code.
For those seeking information on cases dating from May 1, 1951, onward, accessing USCIS resources remains crucial. Overall, various tools and resources exist for individuals needing information about immigration status and records.
Are Immigration Records Public Information?
Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA), individuals can request their own immigration records or, with written permission, someone else's records. Immigration records are generally private, but requests for agency policies, data, and communications are also permitted. The USCIS FOIA Program provides access to arrival records and A-Files, specifically for records after May 1, 1951, or naturalization records post-April 1, 1956.
The National Archives holds immigration data for arrivals from around 1820 to December 1982, arranged by arrival ports. Individuals seeking records before 1982 can consult NARA, while requests are centrally managed through the EOIR's FOIA Service Center. The FOIA allows anyone to access government information, with the right enforceable in court. For efficiency, online FOIA requests are encouraged, reducing processing time.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency also shares various documents online, making information more accessible. Overall, understanding how to navigate these resources simplifies the process of obtaining immigration records.
How Do I Find My Family Immigration History?
You can request a search of USCIS’s index of granted naturalizations since 1906 through a USCIS Genealogy Index Search Request. The 1906 law necessitated including spouses and minor children on petition and certificate documents. For immigration records post-May 1, 1951, or naturalization records after April 1, 1956, visit the USCIS Freedom of Information Act resources. The USCIS Genealogy Program offers five series of historical records for researchers, functioning as a fee-for-service program that provides access to immigration and naturalization records of deceased immigrants.
FamilySearch’s Wiki can assist you in tracing your ancestors, with the Tracing Immigrant Origins guide as a solid starting point. Gather comprehensive background details from family sources about specific immigrants, including names, dates, and locations. Useful immigration records include passenger lists, passports, and naturalization documents to provide insights into your ancestors' journeys. Immigration records are also crucial for understanding your ethnic heritage, which is an invaluable legacy for future generations. Explore various relevant websites, such as the Statue of Liberty–Ellis Island Foundation and the National Archives, to find historical records essential to your familial research.
How Can I Trace My Family Background?
Search for vital records including birth, baptismal, graduation, marriage, military, and occupational records, as well as death certificates, burial records, and obituaries. Explore yearbooks, newspaper articles, family letters, mementos, and other documents for names, dates, and locations. Access billions of ancestor profiles, photographs, and historical documents for free. If you're unsure of whom to search for, start with a grandparent or great-grandparent.
Utilize the automated tree builder to guide your research. Ancestry® helps uncover your genealogy by easily tracing your lineage through the world's largest online collection of family history records. Records offer a paper trail leading to vital details about your ancestors. A community of genealogists connects through an accurate tree using traditional and DNA testing. Access millions of records with no subscription fees through various free genealogy websites.
Libraries, historical societies, and archives are valuable resources for genealogical data. Begin your journey by organizing what you know about your relatives and building a family chart, then utilize tools like FamilySearch to get started on your family research. Discover your ancestry today!
How Do I Find Out Where My Family Immigrated From?
The USCIS Genealogy Program is a fee-for-service initiative designed to provide researchers with prompt access to historical immigration and naturalization records for deceased immigrants. With a focus on discovering your immigrant ancestor's history in the United States, the program allows access to millions of records, including passenger lists, border crossings, and naturalization documents—completely free of charge.
To facilitate your search, it’s essential to gather detailed information about your ancestor ahead of time, such as their full name, approximate date and age of arrival, likely port of entry, spouse's name, religion, and occupation. Family records, including birth, marriage, and death documents, form the cornerstone of genealogical research and can assist in narrowing down your search.
For individuals seeking immigration records post-May 1, 1951, or naturalization details, it is advisable to start with family members or genealogical charts to gather pertinent information. Understanding the birthplace of your ancestor can provide crucial leads, especially if variations of their surname are known. The program also highlights the importance of immigration records in piecing together family history—starting with passenger lists can yield valuable insights.
Resources such as the National Archives house immigration records from approximately 1820 to December 1982. Though no universal guide exists for family history research, accessing essential documents and utilizing online databases within archives can significantly aid your journey. The USCIS Genealogy Program and other resources provide vital support for tracing your family lineage across generations and documenting the immigrant experience in the U. S.
📹 Proven Ways to Find Your Immigrant Ancestors – James Tanner
Learn how to best research for immigrant ancestors. To download a copy of the handout for this webinar go to: …
Margaret’s comment about the British citizens coming to America via Canada is true for one branch of my family. They were members of a workhouse in Blytheburgh/Bulcamp. I have a list of ‘inmates’ of the workhouse requesting passage from the church to emigrate from there to British America. My great great grandfather, his wife and their baby daughter were on that list. I am aware that there are steamship records in Canada in the from 1820 to 1836 along the St. Lawrence River. The one that would have my ancestor and his family is 1836 and, of course, is the only one that isn’t digitised so I don’t know where in Canada they landed and took a steamship from. They ended up in a place called Louisville Landing, St. Lawrence County, NY and had 8 additional children. On his obituary he is listed as a “miller”.
Thank you for sharing the expertise you have and that your guests offer. I have followed you before, and was happily reminded about your website when you presented recently at roots tech 2022. I have ancestors I am currently researching who were born in Newfoundland Canada and appear on the 1880 US census in San Francisco California, which is where my family is from. Absolutely wonderful to learn that I can stop searching for the immigration record of their border crossing, as your expert has informed me that those records didn’t begin until 1895. So much to learn and thank you again for spreading the knowledge 🙏🏻 Really enjoy your approach and wishing you supersonic success with your YouTube website 🎉
Novice genealogist here. Thanks so much for another great informative article. Your articles have been most helpful. I must start research logs and notes as well as better organize my digital files. I had to stop a few times while reviewing the maternal side to ask myself why is that person there and how did I know to place them there. Then having to back track to reconfirm it is correct.
I am researching my husband’s great grandfather. As far as we know he might have come into NY then possibly recruited directly into the Navy for the Civil War Jan 1865. I was told that if they served like he did he did NOT have to Apply for Naturalization. Which means I won’t have that really important document. Is this true? Can you do a article on this? Or do you have one?
My ancestors came from Portugal in the late 1700’s but I don’t have any information about when they came or who came with them. If they came to Ellis Island or any port. Joseph Fonseca born 1738. Supposing he married his wife in Puerto Rico named Antonia Ramos in Toa Alta, PR. I don’t have anything on her. Also records are so badly kept in Puerto Rico, and many of them accidently destroyed without copying them. without
In my research, I have a hole for my ancestor who was born in Wendron, Cornwall, England. She was on the 1881 Census locally. She showed up marrying my 2nd great grandfather in Kansas in 1883. She states on several censuses She arrived in 1881. It also shows she was naturalized. I can’t locate her arrival or ship yet. I was looking for first papers but when I called the historical society, the lady reminded me that women didn’t do that then. They took on husband’s nationality. I was just thinking about immigrants. So were wives automatically naturalized when they married American husbands?