How To Create Your Own Family Tree

There is nothing like bringing a family together and showing them they all share the same roots. The Archives maintains ship passenger arrival records dating back to the 1820s, and its staff will even do research for you if you supply some basic information, such as the port of entry, passenger name, and date of arrival. If they find your ancestor, they will send you a notice. The manifests consist of 2-by-3 foot sheets, listing passengers’ age and occupations, and if after 1906 the information will include amount of money, language spoken, even height and weight. If you want to purchase a copy of the page of the manifest, the cost is $10. For more information or a copy of Form 81 titled Order for Copies for Ship Passenger Arrival Records, contact Reference Services Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, Eighth St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20408; 202-501-5400; {www.nara.gov}.