ROOT & GENEALOGY · Content updated on · Editorial method and sources
A manifest describes a recorded journey, not an entire migration. Establish arrival port, ship and date, then read the complete entry, cross-references and other pages before connecting the passenger to your family.
The method, step by step
- NARA’s federal arrival holdings generally begin in 1820, with earlier exceptions including Philadelphia and New Orleans. Earlier arrivals therefore require other port records, publications or local archives; do not assume a complete national register.
- Record last residence, birthplace, nationality and destination separately where the columns provide them. They answer different questions. A contact to join offers a lead to an address or relative, without automatically proving the stated relationship.
- A crossed-out name may concern someone who did not sail, a duplicate entry or another administrative circumstance. NARA describes several causes. Transcribe the exact notation and seek the retained entry or another voyage rather than treating every deletion as a refusal of admission.
- Compare the manifest with a census, naturalisation application or record naming the place of origin. Keep arrival separate from permanent settlement. A person may travel repeatedly; arrange the journeys before selecting the one matching the family story.
Read the records and build the connection
| Record element | What to record and check |
|---|---|
| Journey | Arrival port, ship, date and manifest reference. |
| Entry and cross-references | Line number, other pages, annotations and possible duplicates. |
| Identity | Compare age, origin, destination and contact with an independent source. |
- Port and dates
- Complete manifest
- Cross-checked identity
Tick items as you read. Ticks remain only on this page and disappear when it is reloaded.
Record in your research log
- Journey
- Entry and cross-references
- Identity
Frequently asked questions
Why is a name crossed out on a manifest?
Possible causes include not sailing, a duplicate or other administrative processing. Read annotations and other pages. A deletion alone does not establish refusal of entry.
Sources & references
- National Archives — Passenger Arrival Records ↗ (Resource review date : )
- National Archives — Passenger Manifest Annotations ↗ (Resource review date : )