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| To make your search more successful and efficient, you'll want to prepare
before you begin. Speak to family members; look through family photograph albums; write down everything you
remember about the passenger you want to find. |
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| To find out more, click one of the questions below. |
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What Can I Expect to Find? |
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How Should I Prepare to Search at the Center? |
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How Should I Prepare to Search on the Web? |
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What Can I Expect to Find?
You may find some passengers quickly and easily. Others may take time--or even be impossible--to locate.
Not every immigrant gave an accurate answer to every question. Race, religion, and nationality were often
confused by those filling out manifests. Many countries' borders have changed; many immigrants also changed
their names after entering the U.S.
Language problems, misunderstandings, and everyday human error are all part of the historical record.
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How Should I Prepare to Search at the Center?
Search sessions at the Center have time limits--so it's especially important to be as prepared as possible
for your visit.
Information to gather before conducting a search: the passenger's first and last names; approximate year of
arrival at Ellis Island; "ethnicity" (which may include, race, nationality, and religion); approximate age
on arrival at Ellis Island; ship of travel; port of departure; and whether the passenger traveled with other
family members.
An important tip: Develop alternatives. Memories--and the record itself--may be in error. Consider alternate
spellings of the passenger's name and alternate names of countries.
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How Should I Prepare to Search on the Web?
Searching on the Web, your time is your own. You can pause in your search and conduct some online research.
You can also pursue a search you began at the Center.
Information to gather before or while conducting a search: the passenger's first and last names; approximate
year of arrival at Ellis Island; "ethnicity" (which may include, race, nationality, and religion); approximate
age on arrival at Ellis Island; ship of travel; port of departure; and whether the passenger traveled with
other family members.
An important tip: Develop alternatives. Memories--and the record itself--may be in error. Consider alternate
spellings of the passenger's name and alternate names of countries.
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PASSENGER SEARCH
