The National Archives at San Francisco contains the most comprehensive records of Asian immigration to the United Sates during the period of the Chinese Exclusion Acts, 1882-1943. The case files we examined and copied are part of a collection of 250,000 investigative case files at NARA - San Francisco. They represent some of the hundreds of thousands of new arrivals and returning residents who passed through the ports of San Francisco during this time period.
What Is in a Case File?
“A typical investigation case file contains the individual's name, place and date of birth, physical appearance, occupation, names and relationships of other family members, and family history. Specific INS (United States Immigration and Naturalization Service) proceedings are usually documented.
The files may contain certificates of identity and residency; correspondence; coaching materials used by "paper sons"; INS findings, recommendations, and decisions; maps of immigrant family residences and villages in China; original marriage certificates; individual and family photographs; verbatim transcripts of INS interrogations and special boards of inquiry; and witnesses' statements and affidavits.” http://casefiles.berkeley.edu/CaseFile.aspx
“A typical investigation case file contains the individual's name, place and date of birth, physical appearance, occupation, names and relationships of other family members, and family history. Specific INS (United States Immigration and Naturalization Service) proceedings are usually documented.
The files may contain certificates of identity and residency; correspondence; coaching materials used by "paper sons"; INS findings, recommendations, and decisions; maps of immigrant family residences and villages in China; original marriage certificates; individual and family photographs; verbatim transcripts of INS interrogations and special boards of inquiry; and witnesses' statements and affidavits.” http://casefiles.berkeley.edu/CaseFile.aspx
Sample of Case Files reviewed and photographed at National Archives at San Francisco
- Wong Chung Hong File 10382/54
- Masayuki Ariki File 37622/7-2
- Kaoru Shiibashi File 30309/27-5
- Jung Look Moy File 15287/8-17
The case file below shows how difficult and detailed the interrogation questions could be for immigrants.
The case file below contains heartbreaking letters between family members in China and Tong Ming Fong who was admitted into San Francisco by the INS in 1926.
To explore a selection of case files that we photographed and reviewed at the National Archives at San Francisco, visit this link: ANGEL ISLAND IMMIGRANT CASE FILES
To see all the case files that we photographed contact Bridget Knightly at [email protected].
To see all the case files that we photographed contact Bridget Knightly at [email protected].
LInks to related resources
An Alleged Wife: One Immigrant in the Chinese Exclusion Era By Robert Barde
This story was pieced together from case files found at the National Archives of San Francisco.
This website, http://casefiles.berkeley.edu , can help you find out what cases are available at the NARA archives. If you would like to see whether information is available for a particular individual, do a search here to get the case file number.
This story was pieced together from case files found at the National Archives of San Francisco.
This website, http://casefiles.berkeley.edu , can help you find out what cases are available at the NARA archives. If you would like to see whether information is available for a particular individual, do a search here to get the case file number.