Frequently Asked Questions about the Galveston Immigration Database

I know my family immigrated through Galveston, but I can't find them in the database. Why?
An individual may not appear for many reasons:
There are gaps in the data. Galveston immigration data is not available from the National Archives between the years 1871 and 1894; further, some records are missing near the time of the 1900 hurricane.
Some records were unreadable. As the Texas Seaport Museum staff entered listings in the database, some microfilm records were to faint to read. These records, handwritten by sea captains, may not be complete or 100% accurate.
Names may have changed. Changes in the spelling of surnames sometimes occurred as records were entered, or over the generations. When searching, try different spellings of the same name, or similar sounding versions of your family name [for instance, the German “Schmitt” may have been Anglicized to “Smith” - or may appear as “Schmid” or “Smit”.]
Your ancestors may have stopped elsewhere first. This database only reflects names of immigrants whose first disembarkation was in Texas. If your ancestor’s ship called in New York before coming here, its records would not appear in the Texas Seaport Museum listing.

But I have proof that my ancestor immigrated through Galveston. Is it possible to correct the omission in this database?
Yes, with some limitations. From time to time, the Texas Seaport Museum hopes to budget for staff to update these records.
If you would like to provide documentation of an arrival through Galveston, Indianola, Beaumont, or other Texas port, please contact the museum office at 409-763-1877. While the museum’s ability to schedule these updates is uncertain at this time, xerox copies of documents [passenger manifests, immigration papers, stamped passports] are welcome. The Texas Seaport Museum is not responsible for original documents left in its possession.

I found my ancestor, but the information in the database doesn’t agree with family legend.
Congratulations on your successful search! The listings in the Galveston Immigration Database are transcriptions of records provided by the captains of ships calling in Texas. Although no guarantees of accuracy are made, the listing may supply information that corrects or fills in stories passed from one generation to another. Another possibility: you may have found an immigrant not related to your family, but who shares the same name.

I want to know more about my family. Where do I go?
Your local library is the best place to get started. Ask for help finding the local genealogical society. Some libraries also have files and other genealogical resources on hand to help you begin your search.

But isn’t this a genealogy research facility?
The Purpose of the Texas Seaport Museum Galveston Immigration Database is to make existing records easily accessible. This project reflects listings of immigrants already available to the public elsewhere through the National Archives and several published sources. As a demonstration of the way Galveston contributed to the growth of Texas and the midwest, it shows at the touch of a keyboard many of the important themes at the Texas Seaport Museum.
We encourage genealogy enthusiasts to use the database as a “jumping off” point, but caution that this is only one of a number of sources of information.

I have family photos from my Galveston immigrant ancestors. Would the museum be interested?
Certainly. The Texas Seaport Museum hopes to add to the collection of family pictures displayed near the database terminals on the museum’s second floor. Please send copies only to: Texas Seaport Museum, Pier 21 & Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX 77550. If your pictures are selected for use, you will be notified, and arrangements will be made for copies to be made of your originals at the museum’s expense.