GuidedResearch:Finding Town of Origin - United States Immigration

Do You Know When Your Ancestor Immigrated to the United States?
Click on the Migration Wave Covering the Year Your Ancestor Came to the United States.

Taylor's Sandbox 1

Intro
During the 1820s-1880s, the United States received a huge influx of immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, and China. Many of these immigrants came because of economic or civil unrest at home, the cheap farmland available in the United States, or because of the California Gold Rush. Some immigrants, especially those who were unskilled laborers, stayed on the East Coast where the industrial revolution was bigger.

Census Records
Beginning in 1850, the United States censuses listed the birthplace of a person. This information can be helpful in knowing the country of origin. These earlier census records can also give clues as to when a family immigrated to the United States if some of the children were born in their homeland country and some in the United States. This is helpful in narrowing down the year of immigration. Below is a table with possible immigration information found in the 1850-1880 censuses. 

How to Find When Your Ancestor Immigrated to the United States:
Option A: If your ancestor immigrated to the United States between 1903-1957, the border crossing records may give their place of origin.

United States Border Crossings from Mexico to United States, 1903-1957 - FamilySearch Option B: If your ancestor was born after 1871, civil registration records may help identify a specific place.