United States, Panama Canal Zone, Employment Records and Sailing lists - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index and images of employee records (service history cards), sailing lists of contract laborers, and employee identification records (metal check cards and applications). This collection corresponds to NARA Record Group 185, Records of the Panama Canal, 1848-1999. Index to applications for Photo Metal Checks, 1918-1919 courtesy of the National Archives.


 * Metal Check Issue Cards,NAID 7226555
 * Applications for Photo-Metal Check,7/1918-7/1919 NAID 6821421
 * Sailing Lists of Contract Laborers,1905-1910 NAID 7226554
 * Service Record Cards,1904-1920 NAID 7226556

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The records may include the following information:


 * Name
 * Age
 * Birth place
 * Residence
 * Change in status
 * Position or job
 * Service dates
 * Salary
 * Where Appointed
 * File number
 * Remarks

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The full name of your ancestor
 * The birth date and birth place of your ancestor
 * The residence of your ancestor
 * The approximate dates of employment

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the 


 * 1) Select Record Description to view the images.

With either search keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life

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 employment record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details about your ancestor. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

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

 * Compile a list of other personnel with the same surname. This is especially helpful if the surname is unusual
 * 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 nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * 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.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

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.


 * Collection Citation:"United States, Panama Canal Zone, Employment Records and Sailing lists, 1905-1937." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. Citing NARA record group 185. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

Top of Page