Maine, Bath, Seamen's Proofs of Citizenship - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in the Collection?
This collection includes records from 1833 to 1868. It consists of proofs of citizenship used to apply for Seamen's Protection Certificates at the ports of Bath, Maine in 1833, 1836, 1839-50, 1853-65, 1867-68; and at Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1857-58. It is arranged alphabetically then in chronological order.This collection corresponds to NARA Publication M1825 part of Record Group 36 Records of the U.S. Customs Service.

What Can this Collection Tell Me?
The records usually contain:


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

How Do I Search the Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know


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

Search by Name by visiting the Collection Page: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the "Year Range" category 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.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?
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.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * 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.

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.


 * Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry): Image Citation Top of Page