Massachusetts, Crew Lists - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is In This Collection?
This collection contains crew lists from ports in Massachusetts. Crew Lists provide name, age, gender, occupation or position, and citizenship, along with other information. Ports included in this collection are Barnstable, Dighton, Edgartown, Fall River, Marblehead, New Bedford, and Newburyport. The records are located at the National Archives in Waltham, Massachusetts. 4478493 3245221 4483016 2867714 2934410 2934411 5019134 4728317 4728319 4728319 4504773

What Can These Records Tell Me?
A Crew List may contain the following information:
 * Name of the vessel
 * Name of the Master
 * Name of the crew member
 * Place of birth
 * Residence
 * Citizenship
 * Age
 * Physical characteristics

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name
 * Approximate age or birth date

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the  Select Surname Range to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a Research Log.

I Found Who I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Whenever possible, view the original records to verify the information and to find additional information that might not be reported. These pieces of information can lead you to additional records and family members
 * Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed
 * Use the person's name and place of birth to find a birth certificate which should list the names of the parents
 * Use the country of citizenship to lead you to immigration or naturalization records
 * Use the person’s age and residence to find family in census, church, and land records
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * Census, military service, military pension, immigration, naturalization, and land records can be very useful

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well
 * Immigrant first names may be in their native language

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Massachusetts.
 * Massachusetts Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing this Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Top of Page