Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection corresponds with the following NARA publications which are part of Record Group 85 Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.


 * T790: Book Indexes to Boston Passenger Lists, 1899-1940; covering April 1, 1899 to September 14, 1940; Arranged by date,book indexes do not exist from 1901
 * T617: Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, July 1, 1906-Dec. 31, 1920; Arranged alphabetically
 * T521: Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, January 1, 1902-June 30, 1906; Arranged alphabetically

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

Passenger list
 * Name
 * Date of arrival
 * Place of arrival
 * Gender
 * Name of ship
 * Age
 * Birth year
 * Birth country

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of immigrant
 * Some other identifying information such as age or date of arrival

If you do not have this information search the United States census records after 1900. The census should list the year of immigration or how many years the immigrant has been in the United States.

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.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the age to calculate a birth date
 * Use the name, date, group, and list number to obtain additional immigration information from the National Archives
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may also have immigrated
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. You may need to compare the information on more than one card or person to make this determination
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Search the indexes and records of other port cities

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Massachusetts.
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * Massachusetts Guided Research
 * Massachusetts Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

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

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Boston Passenger Lists 1820-1891
 * Boston Passenger Lists 1891-1943

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.