United States Border Crossings from Mexico to United States - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This collection contains an index of people crossing from Mexico into the United States via various ports of entry along the USA-Mexican border, between the years 1903 and 1957.

Record Description
This database contains an index of aliens and some citizens crossing into the U.S. from Mexico via various ports of entry along the U.S./Mexican border between 1903 and 1957.

Many of the records are arranged alphabetically. Others are arranged chronologically, then by manifest number. Chronologically-arranged records usually have a related alphabetical index. Alphabetically-arranged records are filed by surname, then by first name, subject to special rules. Double names are filed as if the second part of the double name was not there. For example, Jimenez De San Miguel, Petra, is filed among other persons named Jimenez, Petra. Castro, Maria de los Angeles, is filed among other persons named Castro, Maria. Montalvo-Hernandez, Jose, is filed among other persons named Montalvo, Jose. Surnames like De La Huerta are filed under Huerta.

Record Content
Key genealogical facts found on the Ancestry’s Mexican border crossing database: 


 * Name
 * Age
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Gender
 * Ethnicity or nationality
 * Port of arrival
 * Arrival date

The short forms (index cards) usually contain the following information: 


 * Name
 * Age
 * Sex
 * Citizenship ("nationality")
 * Race
 * Last place of residence
 * Destination
 * Port and date of admission
 * Status as immigrant or non immigrant. The number annotated to the right of the person's name or gender is generally the "real" manifest number that is used, along with the date of arrival, to locate the person's statistical manifest--which contains additional information--in a separate series of card manifests. Sometimes, information was simply typewritten onto a blank card instead of a form.

The manifest usually contains the following information: 


 * Name
 * Age
 * Marital status
 * Place of birth
 * Physical description
 * Occupation
 * Ability to read and write and in what language
 * Place of last permanent residence
 * Destination
 * Purpose for entering U.S.
 * Intention of becoming a U.S. citizen or of returning to country of previous residence
 * Head tax status
 * Previous citizenship
 * Name and address of the friend or relative whom the alien intended to join
 * Persons accompanying the alien
 * Name and address of the alien's nearest relative or friend in the country from which he or she came
 * If the alien had ever been in the U.S. in the past, the dates and places of such residence or visitation are indicated.

Record History
Separate cards or “card manifests” for each person were used at the ports of entry along the Mexican border. These cards contained the same information as was collected on traditional ship passenger arrival lists, such as full name, age, sex, marital status, occupation, point of arrival in the United States, and final destination.

As would be expected, Mexican nationals comprised the vast majority of alien arrivals at the U.S./Mexico land border. However, Europeans also entered the U.S. through these ports, as well aliens from elsewhere in the world. For example, Syrians and large numbers of Japanese entered at Eagle Pass, Texas, in 1906 and 1907. Japanese, Turkish, Syrian, Guatemalan, and Korean citizens, in addition to many Europeans, entered at Laredo, Texas, 1903-1907. Citizens of Japan, Palestine, Syria, Canada, and the Philippine Islands are among those who entered at Brownsville, Texas. A scattering of U.S. citizen arrivals are also found in these records.

Why the Record Was Created
This database was created to facilitate the research of ancestors who crossed the Mexican border. The original customs records were maintained primarily for statistical purposes.

Record Reliability
This index, taken from the card manifests, is a reliable source for finding ancestors who crossed the Mexican border and entered into the United States between 1903 and 1957.

How to Use the Record
The database is an index in alphabetical order. There are two types of cards that can be found. One is an short form (index card). These short forms, while valuable, do not contain as much information as can be found on the manifest. If you find a short form (index card) for your ancestor, be sure to try to locate the longer manifest form. Usually the information found in these records will identify the place and date of birth of the ancestor which allow for further research in the records of that place.

Related Websites

 * NARA: Mexican Border Crossing Records
 * Ancestry.com: Border Crossings from Mexico to U.S., 1903-1957

Related Wiki Articles

 * Mexico Emigration and Immigration
 * US Immigration Mexican Border Crossings

Citation for This Collection
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Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
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Citation Example for Records Found in This Collection
Border Crossings From Mexico to United States 1902-1957, database and digitlal images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org accessed March 4, 2011),  Pablo Rendon Gonzales,  4 Sepember 1928; citing Immigration Records, NARA publication number M1772 roll 61; National Archives and Records Adminstration in College Park, Maryland.