Inspection cards

The most important document for emigrants wishing to land in the United States was the Inspection Card. This simple document had to bear the stamps of the US Consul in Liverpool, Southampton or Queenstown, together with the Medical Inspectors stamp. Without it, an emigrant would be unable to board a steamer or land in the United States. Until an immigrant opted to become a citizen of the United States, this card had to be kept and shown to the authorities when requested; if it was lost an immigrant potentially faced deportation.