United States, California, List of United States Citizens Arriving at San Francisco - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains passenger lists of United States citizens returning to San Francisco, California, 1930-1949. Passenger lists are arranged chronologically and by ship name.

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


 * Family name
 * Given name
 * Age
 * Sex
 * Date and place of birth


 * Citizenship
 * Address
 * Naturalization
 * Name of vessel
 * Place of departure and arrival
 * Date of sailing and arrival

Sample Images
1942 immigration list of S S Antioua

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

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 research your family in the state of California.
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * California Guided Research
 * California Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

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

FamilySearch Catalog

 * United States, California, list of United States citizens arriving at San Francisco, 1930-1949. NARA Publication M1439

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States, California, San Francisco, Records of Chinese Laborers Returning to the US, 1882-1888
 * United States, California, Certificates Surrendered at San Francisco from Aliens Previously at Honolulu, Hawaii, 1912-1946
 * California, index to San Francisco passenger lists, 1893-1934

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.