Israel, Index to Records from U.S. Consular Posts in Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Haifa, 1857-1935

This database, with its more than 9,000 entries, was created from Record Group 84, Foreign Service Post Records of the U.S. Department of State for Consular Posts: Jerusalem (1857-1935), Jaffa (1867-1917), and Haifa (1872-1917).

The U.S. State Department's files from Foreign Service posts abroad are stored at the U.S. National Archives II, College Park, Maryland.

Few of the original records were indexed, and many were disposed of in 1950. After a survey of these records by members of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington (JGSGW) in 1995, the volumes of records with the most significant genealogical material were indexed. Only those names assumed to be Jewish were included in the index.

Records of genealogical value selected for indexing include:

• Birth, marriage, death


• Probate and wills of American citizens


• Records of passports issued, visas (required as of 1917) and related matters of immigration and naturalization


• Registers of visitors, American citizens, and children born of American parents


• Property disposal and settlement of estates


• General correspondence and miscellaneous records concerning the protection of American citizens and their interests

This database provides the following information:

• Surname — Last name of individual whose name appears in the correspondence, document, list, etc. When more than one name appears, all are listed separately. If the maiden name is given along with the married name, both will be listed in the database.


• Given Name — First name(s) of the individual.


• City/Country — This refers to a geographical location mentioned or listed in the correspondence or document. This does not refer to the location of the consulate. It may be the location of the person writing for information about a relative in a different location. It may be the person's place of birth, marriage, or death.


• Document Date — Date that appears on the document or correspondence.


• Volume / Box Number — Records are stored in either bound volumes or archival boxes. Each has been assigned a number by the National Archives. The volume number appears on a large white card attached to each volume.


• Document Number — Some documents were assigned numbers.


• Page # — Some volumes contain pages that are numbered.


• Notes — Additional information about the indexed item.


• Register Details — Reference information needed to obtain the original documents. The National Archives uses these to identify records. Each reference should be proceeded by "RG 84 - MLR," meaning "Record Group 84, Master Location Register," followed by a UD number and the name of the consulate.