Searching Ellis Island Records

If your ancestors immigrated to the United States between 1892 and 1954, or traveled abroad and then returned to the US, they may have passed through Ellis Island Immigration Station. Some 12 million immigrants were “processed” at Ellis Island during those years.

There is no cost to search for an Ellis Island passenger or to see a ship’s manifest list. Important information including the immigrant’s age at arrival, occupation, family members, and homeland are often included on the manifest. Ships’ manifests from more recent years may provide exact date and place of birth, passport number (if a US citizen returning from abroad), and home address.

To search for your immigrant ancestors, go to www.ellisisland.org . You can also check your own citizenship credentials by taking the Ellis Island Citizenship Test on-line!