[The following has been presented by GFSHeather@aol.com in the Genealogy Forum Beginner's Chats.]

Many of you may be new in doing research on Passenger lists, Naturalization records and Immigration records. There is a lot available at the National Archives and your local Family History Center. Tonight I will explain what is available.

What records are available for Passenger and Immigration records at the National Archives?

Card Indexes: The quantity of information in each of the indexes varies. They may be simple alphabetical listings or arranged in the Soundex coding system. The indexes may contain the name, age, occupation, nationality, and last permanent residence of the passenger; the port of entry; the name of the vessel; and the date of arrival.

The soundex index cards may contain only the passengers name, age, and sex, and the volume number, page, and line where the name may be found.

Book Indexes: These Records consist of Alphabetical listings of passengers provided to the Immigration and Naturalization Service by the shipping lines. The lists are usually arranged chronologically by date of arrival. The lists include the passenger's name, age, and destination.

Passenger and Crew Lists: Customs Passenger Lists and Abstracts: Customs passenger lists contain each passenger's name, age, sex, occupation, nationality, and the name of the country in which each intended to reside. Entries are arranged by date of arrival and sometimes by the passenger or crew member's occupation and the port from which he or she sailed. Lists may also include notations as to the number and causes of deaths on board. The abstracts, which are consolidated lists of all the passengers who arrived at a port during the quarter, generally contain the same information as customs passenger lists.

Immigration and Naturalization Service Passenger Lists: Immigration and Naturalization Service passenger lists include the names of U.S. citizens returning from abroad, foreign visitors, and immigrants. The lists usually also contain names of vessels and shipmasters, ports of arrival and embarkation, dates of arrival, and the following information about each passenger: full name, age, sex, marital status; occupation; last residence; port of arrival and final destination in the united States; if the passenger had been in the United States before, when, and where; and if the passenger were going to join a relative, the relative's name and address, and relationship. Beginning in 1903, race was included; in 1906, personal description and birth place; in 1907, the name and address of the alien's nearest relative in country from which he or she came.

Crew Lists: Crew lists may include the names of both American and alien seamen. Information about each crew member may include his length of service at sea, position in the ship's company, when and where the seaman joined the vessels crew, whether he was to be discharged at the port of arrival, literacy, age, race, nationality, height, and weight. You may obtain more information on some passenger lists by filling out a passenger list form that you can get at a National Archive near you. Send no money, once they have found the information they will let you know whether they found the information you have requested. If they find any information it will cost $10.00. There are 13 National Archives in the United States. they are located in: Washington, DC; Waltham, MA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, Pa; East Point, Ga.; Chicago, Il; Kansas City, Mo.; Fort Worth, TX; Denver, Co; Laguna Niguel, Ca; San Bruno, Ca; Seattle, Wa; and Anchorage, AK. Contact the nearest one near you. They will not do the research for you. You must go there personally to do the research. If you are not able to go to a National Archives, you can get the records through a local Family History Center near you.

Also at many libraries throughout the country there are Passenger lists in book form. So you will want to go through those also. One other thing to keep in mind is if you want to find out if someone was Naturalized, check with the Court District they were living in - they will have copies of the paper work. And if you're not sure if someone was Naturalized, be sure to check the census 1900-1920, for it will state how long one has been in the country, where they were born (country) and if they were Naturalized. If anyone has any questions feel free to email me at GFSHeather@aol.com.