In this course we discuss how to trace your immigrant ancestors to the United States. This includes the various immigration and naturalization sources, such as passenger arrival lists. Other sources and strategies for documenting immigrants are explored. Historical background about immigration to the United States as it is relevant to genealogy is given.
Course Content
Module 1
Historical Background & General Resources
Introduction
Historical Background Timeline
A Few Words about Internet Resources
Recommended Reading & Resources
Module 2
Strategies for Researching Immigrants & Their Origins
Type 1: Only the Country of Origin is Known
Using Family Traditions
Observing Migration Patterns
Documenting the Immigrant's Life as a Whole
Immigration Information in American Censuses
Researching the Extended Family
Tracing Associations with Friends & Neighbors
Tracing the Immigrant Ancestor's Descendants
Identifying Intermediate Countries of Migration
Using Foreign Records in Select Cases
How to Interpret a Country of Origin
Type 2: You Know a County, District or Region of Origin
More Research Abroad May be Needed
Researching All Branches of the Family Abroad
Using County or Region Based Sources & Centers
Records Usable With a Known County or District
Inventories of Compiled Genealogies
Alternate Research in the United States & Abroad
Type 3: Specific Place of Origin (Place Name) is Known
Pinpointing a Place Name
Online Sources for Place Names in Particular Countries
Published Place Name Finding Aids
Record Sources in the Country of Origin
Module 3
Documenting An Ancestor's Immigration
Passenger Arrival Lists
The Importance of Passenger Lists
Colonial Arrival Lists
Published Colonial Immigrant Lists
Books on Ships
Passenger Lists on the Internet
How to Find A Passenger List
What Is The Immigrant's Most Likely Port of Entry?
Canadian Passenger Lists
Module 4
Canadian Border Crossing, Passport, Foreign Departure & Emigration Records
Canadian Border Crossing Records
Mexican Border Crossing Records
What can you find?
Who can you find?
Where can you find the records?
United States Passport Records
Regular Passport Applications
Foreign Departure & Emigration Records
General Resources
Module 5
Naturalization Records
British Colonial Naturalization Records
Colonial Naturalization Law
Colonial Naturalization Procedures after 1740
Locating Colonial Naturalization Records
United States Naturalization, 1777-1789
Oaths of Allegiance
U.S. Naturalization Law 1790-1906
Which courts could naturalize?
Age & Gender
Post-1906 Immigration Procedure
Types of Naturalization Records
Major Sources for Naturalization Laws, Procedures & Records
How do you know if your ancestor was naturalized?
Location of Records
Indexes to Naturalization Records
Alien Registrations
Naturalization Records for Particular States
Naturalization Records Online
Module 6
Ethnic Sources, Societies & Newspapers
Introduction to Ethnic Sources
Ethnic Immigration Reference Works
Societies
Identifying a Society
Ethnic Societies
Ethnic Society Examples
Irish Ethnic Societies
Charitable Societies
Fraternal Societies
Ethnic Newspapers
"Information Wanted" Ads
Immigrant Banks in America
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