Massachusetts, Salem and Beverly Crew Lists and Shipping Articles - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection consists of the following three NARA collections:
 * Crew Lists and Returns of Seamen for the Port of Salem and Beverly, compiled 1797-1818 (ARC 1600758)
 * Shipping Articles for the Port of Salem and Beverly, compiled 1810 - 1899 (ARC 1600870) *Crew Lists for the Port of Salem and Beverly, 1797-1934 (ARC 1600759).

The Collections were filmed at the NARA Regional Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. The records are arranged chronologically for the most part.

Record Content
The content of the records vary by record type. You may find any of the following:


 * Name of ship and port of departure
 * Ship's arrival date and port of entry
 * Names of crew members
 * Position in the ship's crew
 * When and where engaged as a member of the crew
 * Age
 * Gender
 * Race
 * Nationality
 * Height
 * Weight
 * Physical marks or peculiarities

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


 * The name
 * Other identifying information such as the age and nationality

Search the Collection
To search the collection image by image select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the "Chronological/Alphabetical order" which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one 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. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details and lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example, you can use passenger lists to:


 * Learn an immigrant’s place of origin
 * Confirm their date of arrival
 * Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
 * Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests.

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.
 * 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.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * 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.

Related Websites

 * National Archives
 * Essex County Historical Records

Related Wiki Articles
Massachusetts Emigration and Immigration

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Citation for This Collection
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