United States, New England Seamen's Identification Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The records include identification cards of Seamen departing from or arriving at the following ports: Boston, Vineyard Haven, Salem/Beverly, Marblehead, Fall River, New Haven, Portland, &amp; Providence. The record includes name, age, place of birth, parent's birthplace, naturalization data, physical description, photo, and signature. The records can be found at NARA Northeast Region facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. This collection includes records from 1918 to 1940.

Record Content
These records may contain the following information:


 * Port
 * Name
 * Nationality
 * Place of birth
 * Place of father's birth
 * Place of mother's birth
 * If naturalized, where and when
 * Age
 * Birth date
 * Height
 * Vessel
 * Physical description
 * Photograph
 * Thumb print
 * Signature

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the name and some other identifying information such as birth date and place.

Search the Collection
To search the collection ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "County" ⇒Select the appropriate "Town" ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type, number, date range" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the name, birth date and birth place to obtain a birth certificate.
 * Use the name and birth place to search the 1940 census.
 * Use the name and birth date to obtain copies the their complete military file.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the surnames.
 * Make sure you are looking at the first given name.

Related Websites
NARA's Northeast Region Waltham, MA

Related Wiki Articles

 * New England
 * United States Military Records

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation

Image Citation