Massachusetts, Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an index (about 70,000 cards) to passenger lists of vessels arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, 1921-1949. The cards are most often arranged alphabetically by surname, then reverse chronological order by year of arrival, then by volume number. Each card contains the surname, first name, age, gender, and the line, page, and volume number on which each person is recorded on the related passenger list. Images are originally housed at the National Archives and Records Administration (A3453).

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


 * Full Name
 * Age
 * Birth year
 * Birthplace


 * Port of arrival
 * Arrival date

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.
 * Searching Passenger Lists
 * US Immigration Finding the Place of Origin
 * Beginning Research in United States Immigration and Emigration Records
 * Massachusetts Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

 * Massachusetts, Boston Passenger List Index, 1899-1940
 * Massachusetts, Index to Boston Passenger Lists, 1848-1891
 * Massachusetts, 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.