California, index to San Francisco passenger lists - FamilySearch Historical Records

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

Passenger lists
 * Name of ship
 * Port of embarkation
 * Date and seaport of entry
 * Final destination
 * Whether or not ticket to final destination
 * Name of passenger
 * Birth place
 * Age in years and months
 * Gender
 * Civil status
 * Occupation
 * Whether or not can read and write


 * Nationality
 * Last permanent residence
 * Destination
 * Who paid for passage
 * Declaration of money in possession
 * Whether or not has been in U. S. before
 * Whether or not passenger has been in prison
 * Whether or not passenger is a polygamist
 * Name and address of relative or friend passenger plans to join
 * Whether or not under contract to labor
 * General condition and statement of health
 * Description of passenger

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The age and birth place of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of immigration

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?

 * If possible, use what you know to find an image of the original record. The index contains only basic identifying information for a person; the original record therefore may contain more information not found in the index.
 * Continue to search the index for family members.

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

 * Check for variants of given names and surnames. It was not uncommon for an individual to be listed under a nickname, middle name, or abbreviation of their given name (Do not include the nickname instructions to foreign collections as the list is US-oriented)
 * Search the records of nearby locations

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of California.
 * Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * California Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

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.