Maine and Massachusetts, Case Files of Deceased and Deserted Seamen - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains three NARA collections from Record Group 21 Records of District Courts of the United States:


 * Southern Division of the District of Maine:Case Files of Deceased and Deserted Seamen, compiled 1912 - 1965 NAID 1079716. The collection is numerical to 1937 then alphabetical to 1965
 * U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Maine: Case Files of Deceased and Deserted Seamen, compiled 1873 - 1911 NAID 1077387. The collection is numerical by case number
 * District of Massachusetts: Case Files of Deceased and Deserted Seamen compiled 1909-1951.NAID 1096743.The collection is numerical by case number

The collections were filmed at the NARA Regional Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. For the most part, the records are arranged numerically by case number and contain an assortment of details including personal information, death details, wages etc. about deceased and deserted sailors and others who worked on board ships.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Case Files
 * Name of seaman
 * Death date and place
 * Burial date and place
 * Names of family members or next of kin
 * Financial statements
 * Dates of service

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Person's name
 * Date of death or desertion

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 the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * 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
 * If your ancestor has an uncommon surname, you may want to obtain the passenger list of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes of other port cities

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the states of Maine and Massachusetts.
 * Maine Guided Research
 * Massachusetts Guided Research
 * Maine Research Tips and Strategies
 * Massachusetts Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Maine Research, 1880-Present
 * Step-by-Step Massachusetts Research, 1880-Present

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Maine & Massachusetts, case files of deceased and deserted seamen, 1873-1965

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Maine, Alien Arrivals, 1906-1953
 * Maine, Crew List Arriving at Eastport, 1949-1958
 * Maine, Crew Lists Arriving at Robbinston, 1947-1954

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.