Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Immigration Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains immigration cards issued by Brazilian consulates around the world. These cards were then presented at the port of entry by foreigners visiting or immigrating to Brazil through the port of Rio de Janeiro from 1900-1965.

Cards may include a picture of the immigrant. The years are neither in chronological nor alphabetical order.

The immigration registration was necessary to keep a record of all immigrants settling in the country. These records were used to track the movement and settlement of two groups: immigrants who came from countries other than Brazil, and migrants who moved from places within Brazil.

Reading These Records
For help reading these Portuguese records see the following:


 * Portuguese Genealogical Word List
 * Brazil Language and Languages

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The information came directly from the immigrant or a traveling companion, usually a family member. Realize that incorrect information was sometimes given, and mistakes were occasionally made in recording the information. Immigration cards may include the following information:


 * Complete name of immigrant
 * Date of immigration
 * Date and place of birth
 * Permanent of temporary stay
 * Nationality
 * Marital status
 * Parents’ names
 * Profession or occupation
 * Place of residence in country of origin
 * Names, ages and gender of children traveling under 18 years of age
 * Passport number with its date and place of issuance
 * Signature of the immigrant

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor's given name and surname
 * Identifying information such as residence
 * Estimated marriage or birth year

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
 * The card information will help you determine where he or she came from, the date and place of birth, and the parents’ names
 * This information will let you prepare a family group record for the family. You can then start searching in the records from the place of birth and residence for other members of the family
 * If just the country is given, use the last name to search for your ancestor and his/her family in his/her home country; this is called a surname search and helps to pinpoint what cities/provinces/states were the hometowns of families
 * Use the last name to search for any possible relatives that may have traveled with, after, or before your ancestor

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

 * If you think your ancestor may have immigrated to Brazil and you cannot find him/her in this collection, then check the records of other ports in Brazil. Information on these other ports can be found here, Brazil Emigration and Immigration
 * These type-written records may have been transcribed from hand-written lists. So errors may be found in the spellings of names
 * Remember that your ancestor's name may be spelled according to the new country's native language or the language of your ancestor's home country
 * Clerks may have written/spelled the name of your ancestor as they heard it, not as it is spelled in your ancestor's native language. Learn about pronunciation of your ancestor's native language
 * The port your ancestor departed from may not be his/her hometown

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Brazil.
 * 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.