Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists - FamilySearch Historical Records
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New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |
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Record Description | |
Record Type | Passenger Lists |
Collection years | 1820-1945 |
Microfilm Publication | M259. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, 1820-1902. 93 rolls. |
T905. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, LA, 1910-1945. 189 rolls. | |
Arrangement | By date of arrival |
National Archives Identifier | 28249274492741 |
FamilySearch Resources | |
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National Archives and Records Administration | |
What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]
This collection consists of passenger lists of arrivals in New Orleans, Louisiana for the years 1820 to 1945. It corresponds to two NARA publications:
- Record Group 36 Records of the United States Customs Service
- M259: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1820-1902 Covering January 1, 1820 to January 31, 1903
- Record Group 85 Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
- T905: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1903-1945 Covering January 8, 1903-December 31, 1945
The passenger lists are digital copies of the original records. The earliest records are handwritten pages. Later records are usually handwritten on pre-printed pages. The records are arranged by the date of entry into port. Passenger arrival lists known as customs manifests date back to 1820. Congressional action in 1891 resulted in federal immigration officials recording the immigrants’ arrival. Arrival lists was used by legal authorities to gather personal information about immigrants prior to the person being allowed to live in the United States. The information was supplied by the immigrant or a traveling companion (usually a family member). Incorrect information was occasionally given, or mistakes may have been made when the clerk guessed at the spelling of foreign names.
Image Visibility[edit | edit source]
Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.
To Browse This Collection[edit | edit source]
You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945. |
What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]
The following information may be found in these records:
Passenger lists prior to 1906
- Name
- Date of arrival
- Port of embarkation
- Name of ship
Passenger lists after 1906
- Name
- Birthplace
- Age
- Gender
- Occupation
- Nationality
- Last permanent residence
- Destination
- Name and address of relative or friend
- Port and date of entry
- Name of ship
Collection Content[edit | edit source]
Sample Image[edit | edit source]
How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
- The full name of your ancestor
- The approximate date of immigration
If you do not know this information, check the census records after 1900.
Search the Index[edit | edit source]
Search by name on the Collection Details Page.- Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
- Click Search to show possible matches
View the Images[edit | edit source]
View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:- Select Date Range
- Select Roll Number-Date Range to view the images
More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, 1820-1945; Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving In New Orleans, 1853-1952 : NARA RG85 Publications T527, T618, M259, and T905. Click on camera icon to see images. |
How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.
What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]
Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record to verify the information and to find additional information.
I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]
- Add any new information to your records
- Use the information found in the record to find other records such as emigrations, port records, and ship’s manifests
- Use the record to learn the place of origin and find vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage
- Use the information found in the record to find land and probate records
- Use the record to see if other family members who may have immigrated with the person you are looking for are listed and have additional information or leads; you may also find additional information on new family members in census records
I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]
- If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
- If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
- Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
- Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names
- Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived. Then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts, then in state, county, or city courts. An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved. Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process
- Check other possible ports of entry
Research Helps[edit | edit source]
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Louisiana.
- United States Emigration and Immigration
- US Immigration Passenger Arrival Records
- Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
- Louisiana Guided Research
- Louisiana Record Finder
- Louisiana Research Tips and Strategies
- Step-by-Step Louisiana Research, 1880-Present
Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.
FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]
- Work Projects Administration transcript of passenger lists of vessels arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1813-1849National Archives Microfilm publications M2009, 2 rolls
- Quarterly abstracts of passenger lists of vessels arriving at New Orleans, 1820-1875. National Archives microfilm publication M272, 17 rolls
- Passenger lists of vessels arriving at New Orleans, 1822 & 1851. New Orleans Public Library, 2 rolls
- Crew Lists, 1803-1826. Works Progress Administration 1938-1939
- Crew Lists of vessels arriving at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1910-1920. National Archives microfilm publication, T939, 48 rolls
FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]
- Louisiana, New Orleans, Quarterly Abstracts of Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, 1820-1875
- Louisiana, New Orleans Index to Passenger Lists, 1853-1952
- Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Departures, 1867-1871
FamilySearch Digital Library[edit | edit source]
- Ship registers and enrollments of New Orleans, Louisiana, 1804-1870
- compiled by Harold Lancour A bibliography of ship passenger lists, 1538-1825; with a list of passenger arrival records in the National Archives by Frank E. Bridgers 3d ed., rev. and enl, New York, New York : New York Public Library distributed by Readex Books, 1975
Known Issues[edit | edit source]
Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.
Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
Collection Citation: The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Citing this Collection. |
Record Citation: When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information. |
Image Citation: When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen. |
- FamilySearch Historical Records Published Collections
- New Orleans (Orleans) FamilySearch Historical Records
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- FamilySearch Historical Records Known Issues
- NARA Emigration and Immigration Records