Alaskan Ports, 1906-1946
Table of Contents
Introduction
Immigration records from 5 Alaskan ports are reproduced in 3 NARA microfilm publications:
- M2016. Alphabetical Index of Alien Arrivals at Eagle, Hyder, Ketchikan, Nome, and Skagway, Alaska, June 1906-August 1946. 1 roll.
- M2017. Lists of Aliens Arriving at Skagway (White Pass), Alaska, October 1906-November 1934. 1 roll.
- M2018. Lists of Aliens Arriving at Eagle, Alaska, December 1910-October 1938. 1 roll.
Records Description
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M2016. Alphabetical Index of Alien Arrivals at Eagle, Hyder,
Ketchikan, Nome, and Skagway, Alaska, June 1906-August 1946. 1 roll.
The index cards (INS Form 502) reproduced in this microfilm publication include arrivals of more than 8,400 aliens. The cards are arranged alphabetically; however, some are out of order. A small "retakes" section (records refilmed to ensure legibility) precedes the main body of records.
This is primarily an index of aliens who crossed the Canadian border into Alaska, usually by railroad, but occasionally on foot or by steamship. The majority of the arrivals occurred before 1920, some were in the 1930s, and a few are dated 1941, 1942, and 1946. The arriving aliens were primarily citizens of Canada, Russia, Austria, Great Britain, Montenegro, Italy, Greece, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and various other European countries.
Form 502 index cards include the following information for each person: name, age, nationality (citizenship), names of persons accompanying the individual, and the port of entry. These cards are an index to "long form" manifests that contain additional information; thus the cards also indicate the manifest number ("list number") and line number on the manifest ("group number") where that person may be found.
Related "long form" manifests (lists) are reproduced in M2017 and M2018. -
M2017. Lists of Aliens Arriving at Skagway (White Pass), Alaska,
October 1906-November 1934. 1 roll.
Most arrivals were by railroad before 1920. The lists include names of foreign visitors and immigrants. The manifests consist of a two-page form; due to the manner in which the records were filmed, the "right" side of the form is located to the left of the "left" side of the form.
Related Index. 2017 is indexed by M2016.
Search Strategy. First, locate the person in M2016 and copy the information provided. Then locate that person in M2017 using a three-step process:- Locate the manifests containing the date of arrival. It is often necessary to find the date of arrival before finding the "list number" because the "list numbers" do not run consecutively.
- Find the correct "list number." This number is marked in the upper right hand corner of the "right side" of the two-page form.
- Find the correct line number ("group number"). This number is printed to the left of the person's name.
- Locate the manifests containing the date of arrival. It is often necessary to find the date of arrival before finding the "list number" because the "list numbers" do not run consecutively.
-
M2018. Lists of Aliens Arriving at Eagle,
Alaska, December 1910-October 1938. 1 roll.
The lists reproduced are ship passenger manifests which include the names of foreign visitors, immigrants, and some U.S. citizens returning from abroad. They also usually indicate names of vessels, ports of arrival and embarkation, and dates of arrival. The manifests consist of a two-page form; due to the manner in which the records were filmed, the "right" side of the form is located to the left of the "left" side of the form.
The manifests were collected by the Immigration and Naturalization Service at the Port of Eagle, AK. Most were steamship arrivals of passengers who had departed from Dawson, Yukon Territory, Canada.
Related Index. M2018 is partially indexed by M2016. Citizen arrivals are not indexed.
Search Strategy. If searching for an alien arrival, first locate the person in M2016 and copy the information provided. Then, locate that person in M2018 by using this three-step process:
- Locate the manifests containing the date of arrival. It is often necessary to
find the date of arrival before finding the "list number" because
the "list numbers" do not run consecutively.
- Locate the correct "list number." This number is marked in the upper right hand corner of the "right" side of the two-page form.
- Find the correct line number ("group number"). This number is printed to the left of the person's name.
- Locate the manifests containing the date of arrival. It is often necessary to
find the date of arrival before finding the "list number" because
the "list numbers" do not run consecutively.
Where to Find these Records
You can search immigration records of persons arriving at Alaskan ports at the research facilities listed below.
- Alaska
NARA--Pacific Alaska Region (Anchorage), 654 West Third Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501-2145. Phone: 907-271-2441. Holdings: M2016, M2017, M2018. - District of Columbia
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408-0001. Holdings: M2016, M2017, M2018. All NARA microfilm publications may be examined during regular research room hours in the Microfilm Reading Room (Room 400); no prior arrangement is necessary. Staff is available there to answer your questions. Researchers coming from a distance may wish to call in advance of their visit (1) to verify research room hours and (2) to have any additional questions answered. The Consultant's Office can be reached at 202-501-5400. - Illinois
NARA--Great Lakes Region (Chicago), 7358 South Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60629-5898. Phone: 773-948-9000. Holdings: M2016, M2017. - Washington:
NARA--Pacific Alaska Region (Seattle), 6125 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-7999. Phone: 206-526-6501. Holdings: M2016, M2017, M2018.
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