Immigration: Introduction

Photo by New York Public Library
Photo by New York Public Library

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The National Archives at New York City has a summary of resources that can help you track down immigration records or passenger arrival records.

Ellis Island – From 1892 to 1924, twenty million immigrants passed through the port of New York Ellis Island. The database is free although you do need to register.

Castle Garden – America’s first official immigration center operated from 1855 to 1890 and processed ten million immigrants through the port of New York.

Port of Baltimore – Over 2 million immigrants entered America through the port of Baltimore.  Unfortunately, Baltimore does not have dedicated free search sites similar to the port of New York.

National Archives – Access to Archival Databases (AAD) has several on-line searchable databases with passenger records covering the following topics.
Immigration of Russians to the United States 1834-97

Passengers During the Irish Famine 1846-51

Immigration of Germans to the United States 1850-97

Immigration of Italians to the United States 1855-1900

Search Panama Canal Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Register 1906-91 via Archive.gov