Chinese-American Genealogy
Documents and Records for Chinese-American Genealogy
Basics
Information on Chinese ancestors in the United States is found in many sources used by genealogists to trace their roots in the U.S., regardless of ethnic background. These include records such as civil registration, census, directories, and others.
In addition to sources of common interest to Chinese and non-Chinese researchers, there are a number sources of genealogical information that specifically relate to the Chinese in the United States. Many are government records resulting from paperwork generated by exclusionary laws (see Chinese-American History).
Finding the Records
At the Vancouver Public Library
The Vancouver Public Library collection includes a large number of books that introduce, explain, and explore techniques and tools for U.S. genealogical research. Use the Library's online catalogue to check for items of interest. For search tips, refer to Using the Library Catalogue to Find Genealogical Resources. Information staff at any of VPL's branches will also be pleased to assist.
Vancouver Public Library users can also find a large amount of information relating to U.S. genealogical research, including Chinese-American roots, in the Ancestry Library Edition database. This database is available for free at all VPL locations. For more information on Ancestry Library Edition resources, see Online, below.
Records of Chinese passengers arriving by ship at Vancouver, British Columbia from 1906 to 1912 are available on microfilm. The immigrants were destined for the United States and were examined by U.S. immigration officials at the two Canadian ports. The microfilms contain records for over 13,000 Chinese passengers on 12 reels. Information contained in the records include name, gender, birth date and location, year of arrival, port of departure, port of final destination, name of ship, and last place of residence. Other information that may be available in the records include the passenger's age, marital status, physical description, occupation, citizenship (nationality), and next of kin. Records from January 3, 1906 to June 23, 1912 include additional information on passengers according to several categories: labourers, domiciled merchants and their wives and minor children, Chinese who had been born in the U.S., transits (passengers travelling through the U.S. to foreign destinations), and exempts (passengers exempt from provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act and other laws and treaties). These records are also available online through Ancestry Library Edition (see Vancouver, British Columbia Passenger Lists - Chinese Arrivals, 1906-1912, 1929-1941 below).
Online
The resources listed below provide direct access to specialized databases of records specific to Chinese individuals in the United States. Many additional genealogical records for Chinese-Americans are found in other sources, such as U.S. census records. For basic information and key links, see the Vancouver Public Library's quick-reference guide to U.S. genealogical research. Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956 includes many records of Chinese entries and is available at all Vancouver Public Library locations through Ancestry Library Edition (or to individual subscribers through Ancestry.ca. For links to websites of Chinese-American historical societies, museums and heritage projects, see Websites for Chinese-American Genealogy and History.
Chinese Case Files for District No. 9, Chicago, 1898-1940 (RG 85)
Free browsable list of personal names corresponding to Chinese case files for District No. 9, Chicago, held by the NARA Great Lakes Region office in Chicago.
Chinese Case Files for District No. 10, St. Paul, 1906-1942 (RG 85)
Free browsable list of personal names corresponding to Chinese case files for District No. 10, St. Paul, held by the NARA Great Lakes Region office in Chicago.
The Chinese in California, 1850-1925
A free collection of about 8000 images illustrating nineteenth and early twentieth century Chinese migration to California. Includes a wide range of original source material, including letters, extracts from diaries, business records and many others. Subject, Title, Name, Group and Theme indexes are included.
Emigration/Immigration: Chinese
Free access to indexes and digitized images corresponding to two sets of NARA records. The first comprises 245 documents from Chinese Exclusion Acts Case Files, 1880-1960 held by the NARA Northeast Region (New York City) office. The second is made up of 163 Immigration Investigations Files Relating to the Enforcement of the Exclusion Acts, 1882-1943, held by NARA Pacific Region offices in San Bruno and Laguna Niguel in California and Seattle, Washington.
Hawaii Chinese Exclusion Index
An index to over 16,6000 "Chinese Exclusion" case files created by the Honolulu District Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, from approximately 1903-1944. Available for free through Ancestry Library Edition at all Vancouver Public Library locations or to individual subscribers through Ancestry.ca.
New York Chinese Exclusion Index
An index to over 18,500 "Chinese Exclusion" case files created by the New York District Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, from approximately 1882-1960. Available for free through Ancestry Library Edition at all Vancouver Public Library locations or to individual subscribers through ancestry.ca.
San Francisco Chinese Exclusion List
An index to over 5000 "Chinese Exclusion" case files created by the San Francisco District Office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, from approximately 1903-1944. Available for free through Ancestry Library Edition at all Vancouver Public Library locations or to individual subscribers through ancestry.ca.
Vancouver, British Columbia Passenger Lists - Chinese Arrivals, 1906-1912, 1929-1941
Records of 13000 Chinese passengers arriving by ship at Vancouver, British Columbia from January 3, 1906 to June 23, 1912 (excluding January 22, 1910 to January 20, 1912). For the period of June 22, 1929 to January 10, 1941, records also include passengers who arrived at Victoria. The immigrants were destined for the United States and were examined by U.S. immigration officials at the two Canadian ports. Records may include: name of passenger, gender, birth date and place, final destination, name of ship, date of arrival, port of departure, and place of last permanent residence. The database is available for free through Ancestry Library Edition at all Vancouver Public Library locations or to individual subscribers through Ancestry.ca
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