Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1538-1940

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This powerful index opens a window into the journeys of more than 245,000 individuals who left behind everything familiar to start a new life in the United States or Canada. Covering over 400 years of immigration history, this collection—originally compiled by P. William Filby and published by Gale Research—draws from a remarkable variety of original sources.

These aren’t just names on a page. You’ll find details that bring ancestors to life—ship names, destinations, settlement locations, and even records of when and where individuals became naturalized citizens. It’s a vital tool for any genealogist seeking to track immigrant ancestors and understand the decisions that shaped their family’s path.

What makes this collection especially useful is the diversity of documents it pulls from:

  • Passenger lists from ships crossing the Atlantic
  • Voter registrations that reflect new citizenship
  • Land and property records showing early settlement patterns
  • Church archives capturing baptisms, marriages, and community life
  • Narratives from local and family histories offering personal context
  • Naturalization documents charting an ancestor’s legal journey to becoming part of a new nation

This index doesn’t just connect you to the moment your ancestors arrived—it helps trace their integration, their movements, and even their contributions to their new home. Whether your family arrived in colonial times or the early 20th century, this collection offers a valuable link between historical record and personal story.