Daily AncestorIn transit
In transit on a passenger list marks a traveler only crossing U.S. territory on the way to another country, not coming to stay.
Transits were nonimmigrants, like tourists, business visitors and students. They had to show tickets for travel beyond the United States and faced little questioning. Many paid the head tax as a deposit and got it back when they left.
The stamp is a clue that the person's real destination, such as Canada or Mexico, may hold more records. Transits who arrived after June 29, 1906 and then stayed found they could not naturalize, since only people admitted for permanent residence could.
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "In transit." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/immigration/in-transit. Last checked 2026-10-03.