Immigration

The History

Although for most of England's history of Empire people have emigrated to many parts of the world the comparative wealth has also drawn may immigrants.

The main source of records of arrivals are incoming shipping records and alien registration.

The Board of Trade requires passenger ships arriving in the UK from foreign ports to complete a list of passengers although this was not normally completed for people arriving from European destinations.

What records can you find?

Some records are held by online sites such as ancestry although the actual lists are held in the National Archives.

About 100 years ago the Board of Trade culled their early lists which has meant that there are large gaps in the records but many still remain.

Records show

name

Age

Whether British, Empire/Commonwealth or Foreign nationality

Port and date of Arrival

Port of departure

Vessel's name

*

Moving here is a website devoted to immigration details