Going to join

Forms from 1903 asked whether the passenger was going to join a relative or friend and, if so, which relative or friend, with his name and complete address. Card manifests at the land borders asked the same.

For family history this is often the most valuable entry on the page. It ties the immigrant to someone already in America and gives an address to look up in a census or city directory. It also mattered at inspection: women and children traveling alone were often held until the named husband or relative came for them or answered a telegram.