California, passenger and crew lists at various ports - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains passenger and crew lists for various smaller ports in California from 1907-1956. Ports included are Andrade, Campo (Tecate), Calexico, San Luis Obispo, San Ysidro, and Ventura. These passenger lists are from NARA Series A3363, A3419, A3467, M1767, and M2030.
 * A3363 Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at Ventura, California, 5/1929 - 12/1956RG 85
 * A3419 Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving At or Near San Luis Obispo, California, 9/15/1907 - 12/15/1955 RG 85
 * A3419
 * A3467
 * M1767
 * M2030

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Name
 * Picture of person
 * Age
 * Sex
 * Date and place born
 * Accompanied by
 * Occupation
 * Marital status
 * Nationality
 * Physical appearance
 * Passport number, who issued it and date
 * Purpose in coming

How Do I Analyze the Results?
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.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * 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
 * 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

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * 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
 * Check other possible ports of entry

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of California.
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
 * California Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

Citing This Collection
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.