Category: Immigration

How To Find Ellis Island Ancestor Records

Not sure how to go about tracking down the records of your ancestor's arrival through Ellis Island? With these tips and resources, you'll find them in no time!

4 Birthright Citizenship Facts Genealogists Should Know

For nearly 150 years, all individuals born on US soil have automatically gained US citizenship. What is birthright citizenship, and what does it mean for genealogists?

Tips for Searching the New York Passenger Lists

Between 1820 and 1920, nearly 80 percent of US immigrant arrivals landed at New York ports. Now the full run of New York passenger and customs lists, 1820 to 1957, is free to search on the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation website. A. Search nearly 65 million names, including immigrants, ships’ crew, and other travelers […]

Tracing Ancestors Who Entered Via Canada or Mexico

Your immigrant ancestors may have arrived over the Canadian or Mexican border—even crossing multiple times. Here’s how to trace them.

Tips for Tracing an Early Scottish Immigrant

Researching your Scottish ancestors? Check out these tips for linking a 1700s South Carolinian back to his hometown in Scotland.

Understanding Chain Migration

Immigration is a hot topic these days, and a lot of people are using the phrase "chain migration". What exactly does that mean? We're here to explain.

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Search New York Passenger Lists for Free

Ellis Island opened to New York-bound immigrants in 1892. But the free Ellis Island website has added New York ships' passenger lists all the way back to 1820. We'll show you a list and give you search tips for finding your ancestor's record.

Chain Migration: How I Found My Welsh Ancestors

In my previous post, I discovered that there was more to my Welsh ancestors' immigration than I thought. Follow along as I explore the chain migration of Daniel and his family.

Debunking Three Myths About Your Immigrant Ancestors

When America's immigrant heritage comes up, you hear myths that obscure our ancestors' true experiences. Here are three of the most common, debunked.

Follow the Leader: My Welsh Ancestors’ Immigration

Here's how I traced the migration of my Welsh ancestors to America.

Unusual Records: Early Alien Registration Records

In his latest roundup of overlooked immigration records, Rich Venezia shares a useful resource for tracing immigrant ancestors: early alien registration records.

What a Foreign-Born Population Map Tells Us about America

We often call America a melting pot, and historical data backs that nickname up. This foreign-born population map shows the diversity in 19th-century America—and lays the groundwork for America today.

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