When I think of US immigration records for genealogy, I generally go to Ancestry. They have 162 sources, and it’s free to use at most public libraries. However, not everything is online. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has made some of the microfilmed records (A-Files are hard copies) available for researchers. But it will cost you.
Genealogy Index Search Request: paper $80, online $30
Genealogy Records Request: paper $80, online $30
“Generally contain at least one application form (Declaration of Intention and/or Petition for Naturalization, or other application) and a duplicate certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship. May files contain additional documents, including correspondence, affidavits, or other records. Only C-Files dating from 1929 onward include photographs.”
“Copies of approximately 5.5 million Alien Registration Forms completed by all aliens age 14 and older, reside in or entering the United States between August 1, 1940 and March 31, 1944. The two-page form called for the following information: name; name at arrival; other names used; street address; post-office address; date of birth; place of birth; citizenship; sex; marital status; race; height; weight; hair and eye color; date, place, vessel, and class of admission of last arrival in United States; date of first arrival in United States; number of years in United States; usual occupation; present occupation; name, address, and business of present employer; membership in clubs, organizations, or societies; dates and nature of military or naval service; whether citizenship papers filed, and if so date, place, and court for declaration or petition; number of relatives living in the United States; arrest record, including date, place, and disposition of each arrest; whether or not affiliated with a foreign government; signature, and fingerprint.”
“Original arrival records of immigrants admitted for permanent residence under provisions of the Immigration Act of 1924. Visa forms contain all information normally found on a ship passenger list of the period, as well as the immigrant’s places of residence for 5 years prior to emigration, names of both the immigrant’s parents, and other data. Attached to the visa in most cases are birth records or affidavits. Also there may be attached other records such as: marriage, military, or police records.”
“Document the creation of immigrant arrival records for persons who entered the United States prior to July 1, 1924, and for whom no arrival record could later be found. Most files also include documents supporting the immigrant’s claims regarding arrival and residence (i.e., proofs of residence, receipts, and employment records).”
“All records of any active case of an alien not yet naturalized as they passed through the United States immigration and inspection process….may include visas, photographs, affidavits, and correspondence leading up to an alien’s naturalization, permanent residency, death, or deportation.”
Requesting Records, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Historical Records Series Available From the Genealogy Program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Alien Files (A-Files), National Archives
Why should we all have to learn the hard way? Please share what you’ve learned. Email me at YourFamilyQuest@gmail.com
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