Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Seamen's Proof of Citizenship - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection will include records from 1791-1861. Proofs of Citizenship used to apply for seamen's certificates for the Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1792-1861. These records correspond to NARA publication M1880.

Record Content
The records usually contain


 * Name of sailor
 * Age
 * Physical description
 * Home residence
 * Signature
 * Date of certificate
 * Name of official

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know


 * Name of the sailor
 * Identifying information such as age or residence

Search the Collection
To search the collection ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the "Year Range" category 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 age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the age and residence to search for birth, census and church records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * If your ancestor had a common name, be sure to look at all the entries for a name before you decide which is correct.
 * Continue to search the passenger lists to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have immigrated at the same time.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names. You should also look to abbreviated names and nicknames.
 * Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.

Related Websites
Archives

Related Wiki Articles

 * Pennsylvania Genealogy
 * Pennsylvania Naturalization and Citizenship

Citations for This Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

Collection Citation:

Image citation: