How to Find Jewish Refugees Who Came to the U.S. After World War II

After World War II, millions of people were displaced across Europe. Among them were Jewish survivors who had lost families, homes, and entire communities. Many later came to the United States as refugees. If you are trying to find records of a Jewish relative who arrived after the war, you are not alone—and there are helpful resources to guide you.

This guide explains where to look, what records exist, and how to piece together your family’s story, step by step.

Start With Displaced Persons (DP) Records

Many Jewish refugees lived in Displaced Persons (DP) camps before coming to the U.S. These camps were set up in Germany, Austria, and Italy after the war.

DP records may include:

• Full names (often Hebrew and European versions)
• Dates and places of birth
• Names of parents or spouses
• Camp locations
• Emigration plans

Where to find DP records:

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) – Holds millions of DP camp and refugee records, many searchable online.
• Arolsen Archives – Contains documents on Holocaust victims and survivors, including DP camp files.

Tip: Try searching with different spellings. Names were often written many ways.

Look for Passenger Lists After 1945

Jewish refugees often arrived in the U.S. by ship between 1946 and the early 1950s. These passenger lists are different from earlier Ellis Island records.

Passenger lists may show:

• Last place of residence (often a DP camp)
• Country of origin
• Who paid for the ticket
• Final destination in the U.S.

Where to search:

• National Archives (NARA) – Holds post-war passenger arrival records.
• Ancestry and FamilySearch – Both have searchable databases for this time period.

Tip: Look under “last residence” instead of “place of birth.” DP camps are often listed there.

Check Naturalization and Alien Registration Records

Most Jewish refugees eventually became U.S. citizens. Their immigration story is often detailed in these records.

These records can include:

• Exact arrival date and ship name
• Birthplace
• Former nationality
• Name changes

Where to find them:

• USCIS Genealogy Program
• Local courts and state archives
• Ancestry and FamilySearch

Tip: Refugees often changed their names after arrival. Early records can help track those changes.

Explore Refugee Aid Organization Records

Jewish aid organizations played a major role in helping survivors reach the United States.

Key organizations include:

• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

These organizations helped with visas, sponsorships, housing, and jobs. Their records may include family names, letters, and case files. Many JDC records are available online.

Use Holocaust and Survivor Databases

Even if your relative survived and emigrated, they may still appear in Holocaust-era databases.

• USHMM Survivor and Victim Database
• Yad Vashem Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names
• JewishGen Holocaust Databases

These resources can help connect pre-war lives with post-war immigration records.

Don’t Forget Local U.S. Records

Once refugees settled in the U.S., they created records just like everyone else.

• 1950 and later U.S. census records
• Synagogue membership lists
• Cemetery and burial records
• Newspaper announcements
• Social Security applications

Local Jewish newspapers often reported new arrivals or community events.

Putting the Pieces Together

Researching Jewish refugees after World War II can feel overwhelming, but each record adds a piece to the puzzle. Start with what you know, search carefully, and expect spelling changes.

These records tell more than dates and places—they tell stories of survival, strength, and new beginnings.

Quick FAQ for Beginners

Why can’t I find my relative at Ellis Island?
Most Jewish refugees arrived after Ellis Island’s main years, so their records are found elsewhere.

Why does my relative have more than one name?
Names were often changed, shortened, or translated after arrival.

What if no records exist?
Try multiple sources. Refugee stories are often spread across many different records.