Massachusetts, Seamen Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is In This Collection?
This collection includes records for the years 1790-1940, and contains fifteen NARA collections relating to seamen, including discharges, proofs of citizenship, identification cards, crew lists and many more. These collections were filmed at the NARA facility in Waltham, Massachusetts.
 * Returns from U.S. Consuls Relating to Wages and Effects of Deceased Seamen,1872-1897. U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Record Group 21 Records of District Courts of the United States. NAID 1087232.
 * 2867049
 * 2934408
 * 2867051
 * 616363
 * 6883383
 * 4728355
 * 4481610
 * 6871709
 * 4488749
 * 3477950
 * 3477952
 * 3477966
 * 3475315
 * 3477743

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Information will vary depending on the type of record, but may include the following:


 * Name
 * Date and place of birth
 * Address
 * Name and birthplace of parents
 * Citizenship/Immigration information
 * Occupation/Education
 * Age
 * Physical description
 * Name of the vessel
 * Date and place of death
 * Date of discharge
 * Photograph

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 
 * 1) Select County
 * 2) Select Record Type, Date Range and Volume to view the image

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?

 * 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 estimated age to calculate a birth date
 * Use the person's age and location to find his 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
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have served in the same unit or a nearby unit
 * If your ancestor used multiple names throughout their life, look for all their names
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank, or status within the community
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

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

 * 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
 * If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names
 * Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned
 * Check for variant spellings of the names
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. In addition local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military unties, counties, parishes, etc.)
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You can then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

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.

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