Using USCIS Records for Genealogy: A FamilySearch Guide

Using USCIS Records for Genealogy: A FamilySearch Guide

This guide helps you understand how to leverage information about USCIS records (or records related to immigration and naturalization) to potentially find related resources within FamilySearch.org.

Step 1: Understand USCIS Records and Their Potential Genealogical Value

USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) records, and records from its predecessor agencies, can be a goldmine for genealogical research. These records often contain detailed information about your ancestors, including their place of birth, date of arrival in the United States, family members, and other valuable details. While FamilySearch doesn't directly host complete digitized USCIS collections, information gleaned from indexes or other sources referencing these records can greatly enhance your searches within FamilySearch.

Step 2: Identifying USCIS Record Information Elsewhere

Before searching on FamilySearch, you'll need to gather information about your ancestor's USCIS record. This might come from:

• Ancestry.com or other subscription genealogy websites: Often these sites have indexes of naturalization or immigration records which will contain information you can use to search FamilySearch.
• National Archives (NARA): NARA holds the original USCIS records. If you know the specific record you're looking for, you can request it. The information obtained from NARA can then be used on FamilySearch.
• Family oral histories or documents: Old letters, certificates, or family stories may mention immigration or naturalization details.

Step 3: Using FamilySearch.org to Locate Related Records

Once you have details from a USCIS record (or any other source referencing immigration/naturalization), use them to search FamilySearch.org:

1. Go to FamilySearch.org: Open your web browser and navigate to FamilySearch.org.
2. Sign In: Click the "Sign In" button in the upper right corner and enter your username and password. If you don't have an account, create one for free.
3. Go to the Search Page: Click on the "Search" tab in the top navigation menu.
4. Choose "Records": Under the "Search" tab, select "Records".
5. Enter Search Criteria: This is where you will input the information you gathered. Consider the following:
   • First and Last Name: Enter your ancestor's full name.
   • Birth Date and Place: Add the birth information from the USCIS record or supporting documents.
   • Death Date and Place: If you know these details, add them as well.
   • Residence: Crucially, add the location where your ancestor resided in the United States, as this can help narrow down the search to relevant state or county records.
   • Keywords: This is where you input keywords derived from USCIS information. Think like an indexer. Examples: "Naturalization", "Immigrant", "Arrival Date", "Port of Entry" (e.g., Ellis Island, New York). Experiment with these terms to see what yields results.
6. Filter by Collection: On the left side of the search results, use the "Filter by Collection" option. Try filtering by:
   • Census Records: Once your ancestor is in the US, search for them in US census records.
   • Vital Records: Search for birth, marriage, and death records in the state where your ancestor settled.
   • Probate Records: Look for wills or other probate records.
   • Land Records: See if your ancestor purchased property.
7. Review Search Results: Carefully examine the search results. Look for records that match the information you have about your ancestor, paying close attention to names, dates, locations, and family members. Click on promising records to view the details.
8. Attach Records to Family Tree: If you find a record that belongs to your ancestor, attach it to their profile in the FamilySearch Family Tree. This helps preserve the information and makes it accessible to other researchers.

Step 4: Expanding Your Search

If your initial search doesn't yield the results you hoped for, try these strategies:

• Use Wildcards: FamilySearch supports wildcard searches. Use "*" to represent zero or more characters and "?" to represent a single character. For example, "Smit*" could find "Smith," "Smyth," etc.
• Vary the Spelling: Names were often misspelled or recorded differently. Try searching for variations of your ancestor's name.
• Search Nearby Locations: Your ancestor may have lived in a neighboring town or county. Expand your search to include these areas.
• Browse Collections: If you know a specific collection that might contain the information you need, you can browse the collection directly rather than using the search form.

By combining information gleaned from USCIS records with FamilySearch.org's extensive collections, you can significantly enhance your genealogical research and uncover valuable insights into your family's history.