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.
 * 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 These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, 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

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
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

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

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * United States Research Tips and Strategies

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

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * United States, Panama Canal Zone, Index to the Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Registers, 1906-1991

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.

Estados Unidos, Zona do Canal do Panamá, Registros de Emprego e Listas de Navegação (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)