American genealogists to research Ships' Passenger Lists for you

The Soundex code is a coded last name (surname) index based on the way a name sounds rather than the way it is spelled. Surnames that are spelled differently but sound the same have the same code number and are filed together. Knowing a surname's Soundex code is an important first step in researching using NARA's census microfilm holdings that cover the period from 1880 to 1920 and ships' passenger lists. Ships passenger lists for arrival to the Port of New York for the period that goes from July 1, 1902 to 1948 are indexed by Soundex code.

How to use this code:

You must convert the surname you are researching into a Soundex code. There are sources available on the Internet, for instance the National Archives's web site, where you can obtain your Soundex code. Also, the Rand Genealogy Club has an online Internet Soundex Convertor that determines automatically the Soundex codes for your surname. Alternatively, you can obtain help converting it at your local Family History Centers (FHC).

Using the information from the index, you order the card or filmed copies of 3x5 cards containing your Soundex code.

The information on these cards is as follows:
1. Full name
2. Age and sex (For instance 35m means "35 year old male")
3. Line number on the original ship manifest on which your ancestor's     name appears
4. Manifest Page number
5. Volume number

The volume number will give you an indication of the date the ship arrived. This helps to decide if this is close enough to the year your relative came to the US.