California, San Francisco, Passenger Lists, 1893-1953

What is in This Collection?

This collection consists of lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. It corresponds to NARA Publication M1410: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Francisco, CA, for the years 1893 to 1953 and is part of Record Group 85 Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The collection is arranged date of arrival starting with May 1, 1893. Passenger arrival lists known as customs manifests date back to 1820. Congressional action in 1891 resulted in federal immigration officials recording the immigrants’ arrival.

Arrival lists was used by legal authorities to gather personal information about immigrants prior to the person being allowed to live in the United States. The information was supplied by the immigrant or a traveling companion (usually a family member). Incorrect information was occasionally given, or mistakes may have been made when the clerk guessed at the spelling of foreign names. The passenger lists are digital copies of the original records. The earliest records are handwritten pages. Later records are usually handwritten on pre-printed pages. The records are arranged by the date of entry into port.

Related Collection

• Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving At or Near San Luis Obispo, California, September 15, 1907–December 15, 1955 Digital Images

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

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What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

Collection Content

Sample Images

• California, San Francisco Passenger Lists
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  Passenger List Left side 1893

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  Passenger List right side 1893