Louisiana, New Orleans, Slave Manifests of Coastwise Vessels - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains manifests filed with the customs collector at the port of New Orleans, Louisiana of slaves transported in coastwise trade to or from New Orleans during the period 1807–1860. Each manifest includes the name of the vessel, its ports of departure and arrival, dates of certification by the collector of customs (or surveyor), the Captain or master’s name, and a description of each slave on the vessel, including name, age, sex, height, name of owner or shipper, and race/color.

The following coverage table will identify additional slave manifest collections that are described in the National Archives Catalog.
 * Related National Archive Collections
 * Slave Manifests - National Archives Catalog

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


 * Name or person
 * Sex
 * Age
 * Height
 * Race or color


 * Ports of departure and arrival
 * Date of arrival
 * Name of ship
 * Owners name
 * Residence

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of slave
 * Name of owner

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
 * Using the location of arrivals, names and ages as clues check the 1870 and later censuses
 * Check for them in the Freedmen's collection
 * See if they have family members travelling with them and add any information about them

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

 * Usually only the first name is listed. Former slaves may have had used multiple names or changed their names until they decided upon one particular name. Search all possible names along with variations or spellings of their known names
 * Search records in other locations

Research Helps

 * Researching African Americans
 * Louisiana Guided Research
 * Louisiana Record Finder
 * 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.