United States, Japanese Americans Relocated During World War II - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes records from 1942-1946.

This is a name index of Japanese Americans living in Washington, Oregon, and California who were relocated during World War II acquired from the National Archives, "Access to Archival Databases (AAD)." The index is part of Record Group 210, Records of the War Relocation Authority. Additional information about this collection may be found on the National Archives website.

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

Relocation
 * Full name
 * Date of birth
 * Birth place
 * Gender
 * Age
 * Marital Status
 * Place of residence
 * Birth place of parents
 * Alien Registration Number
 * Social Security Number
 * Japanese Language School

Collection Content
Sample of indexed information:

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search you will need to know:
 * The full name of your ancestor
 * The approximate age of your ancestor
 * The place of birth or death
 * The names of other family members

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 the age to calculate an approximate birth date
 * Japanese who enlisted in the United States military may have service records or pensions from the United States
 * Compile a list of other prisoners with the same surname. If the surname is uncommon, they may be relatives
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Related Collections Family Search Library Catalog

 * Census of Gila River Japanese concentration camp, Dec. 31, 1944
 * Final Accountability Roster Gila River Relocation Center, November,1945

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..