Michigan, Detroit Manifests of Arrivals at the Port of Detroit - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This is an alphabetical card file manifest of individuals entering the United States through the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954. Includes a few records of persons entering at Port Huron, Sault St. Marie, and other Michigan ports. Corresponds to NARA Publication M1478: Card Manifests (Alphabetical) of Individuals Entering Through the Port of Detroit, 1906-1954

Passenger arrival lists known as customs manifests date back to 1820. Congressional action in 1891 resulted in federal immigration officials recording the immigrants’ arrival.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Manifest The index cards may contain all or part of the following information:
 * Name of passenger, including maiden name of women
 * Port and date of departure
 * Port and date of entry
 * Name of ship
 * Country of citizenship
 * Names of persons accompanying passenger
 * Age, gender, marital status and occupation of passenger
 * Date and place of birth of passenger
 * Address of last permanent residence
 * Name and address of friend or relative at last address
 * Final destination
 * Name and address of friend or relative in U.S.
 * Physical description and distinguishing marks
 * Who paid for passage
 * Purpose of visit

How Do I Search This Collection?
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.

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?
Use passenger lists to:
 * Add any new information to your records
 * Learn an immigrant’s place of origin
 * Confirm their date of arrival
 * Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
 * Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests
 * Continue to search the passenger lists to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have immigrated at the same time

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

 * Check for variant spellings of the name
 * Look for other indexes. Records are often indexed by local historical and genealogical societies
 * Search the passenger lists year by year
 * Search the indexes of other port cities

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Michigan.
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * Michigan Guided Research
 * Michigan Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Card manifests (alphabetical) of individuals entering through the Port of Detroit, Michigan, 1906-1954 : NARA publication M1478
 * Passenger and alien crew lists of vessels arriving at the Port of Detroit, Michigan, 1946-1957. : NARA publication M1479

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Michigan, Eastern District, Naturalization Index, 1907-1995
 * Michigan, Eastern and Western Districts, Naturalization Records, 1837-1993

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.