The Complete Guide to Immigration Genealogy

Background Information

Before looking for your ancestors in immigration records, it is important to have as much information about them as possible. This helps to ensure that you have found the correct records for the correct person. It also makes your search MUCH simpler! Background information can tell you when and where your ancestor arrived in the U.S. and if and when they became a naturalized citizen.

With this information you will know exactly where to look!

By the end of this unit, you will:

1. Understand why census records are important for locating naturalization documents.

2. Identify the differences between each census year.

3. Know the abbreviations for citizenship statuses in U.S. census records.

Turn to page 3 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Understand what information birth, marriage, and death records can provide regarding immigration.

2. Utilize vital records in searching for naturalization records and passenger lists.

3. Collect information from vital records to assist with locating foreign records.

Turn to page 5 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will:

1. Understand how the Homestead Act can help locate naturalization documents.

2. Know where to look for Land Patents from the Homestead Act.

Turn to page 6 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Find relevant immigration information within an obituary.

Turn to page 7 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will:

1. Understand what information is helpful for immigration research

2. Summarize background information about an ancestor to prepare to research their immigration

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify which requirements were in place when your ancestor arrived in the U.S.

2. Use the laws to know approximately when your ancestor could have naturalized.

3. Understand who was eligible to naturalize and who was not.

Please turn to page 8 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Follow a step-by-step process for locating naturalization documents.

2. Locate the repositories that hold naturalization records for your ancestors.

3. Understand how to use background information to locate the date and place that your ancestor probably filed naturalization papers.

Turn to page 11 in your workbook before watching the video.

Step-By-Step Guide

The attached guide was created to help you organize your thought process when searching for naturalization documents. It walks you through each step of the process and what to do if your search is not successful.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Understand the exceptions in the laws made for military veterans.

2. Know how the naturalization process worked for women.

3. Explain how children became naturalized citizens and when they had to naturalize on their own.

Turn to page 12 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Explain why immigrants were issued a certificate of arrival.

2. Know what information can be gained from these records.

3. Locate an ancestors certificate of arrival.

Turn to page 24 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Locate passenger lists for all of the major U.S. ports of arrival.

2. Understand the difference between locating pre-1820 lists versus post-1820 lists.

3. Know how to use background information about your ancestors to locate their arrival records.

Turn to page 14 in your workbook before watching the video.

Step-By-Step Guide

The attached guide was created to help you organize your thought process when searching for passenger lists. It walks you through each step of the process and what to do if your search is not successful.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Locate images of the ship your ancestor arrived on.

2. Know what information can be found about immigrant ships in addition to a photograph.

Turn to page 30 in your workbook before watching the video.

This video walks through how to overcome come setbacks when searching for passenger lists.

These tips can be useful when searching any type of indexed database.

Turn to page 20 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Understand you needed to register as an "enemy alien" in 1918.

2. Know what can be learned about an ancestor from these records.

3. Locate alien registration documents (when available).

Turn to page 21 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify who was eligible to apply for a passport.

2. Understand how a passport application can help with your genealogy research.

3. Locate passport applications in various repositories.

Turn to page 25 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Locate passenger lists from all of the major U.S. ports of entry.

2. Compare statistics and history of the various ports.

Turn to page 16 in your workbook before watching the video.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify the time period that records were kept for Canadian border crossing.

2. Understand the process of entering the United States from Canada during the late 1800's and early 1900's.

3. Know the reasons for individuals to cross from Canada into the United States.

4. Identify the common nationalities to use these routes of entry.

Turn to page 28 in your workbook before watching the video.

Create a Research Plan!

Having a concrete research plan is essential for successfully finding the answers to your genealogical research questions. It helps you to stay organized and conduct an exhaustive search (making sure you have checked all available records). Research plans also help you to be more productive and efficient.

For your final project you will be writing a research plan and following that plan. There will be two different options for projects. You only need to complete one of them.

Before you get started, review the following articles and videos about creating a genealogical research plan.