Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Seamen's Proof of Citizenship - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
Proofs of Citizenship were used to apply for seamen's certificates for the Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1792-1861. The records correspond to NARA publication M1880 part of Record Group 36 Records of the U.S. Customs Service. The collector of customs issued Seamen's Protection Certificates for sailors on vessels involved in foreign trade. The collection is organized by year then by the name of the seamen.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Name of sailor
 * Age
 * Physical description
 * Home residence
 * Signature
 * Date of certificate
 * Name of official

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The year of citizenship

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
 * Use the information to find other records such as emigrations, port records, ship’s manifests, birth, christening, census, and land records
 * Learn foreign and “Americanized” names
 * Use the information to find additional family members
 * Search for naturalization records
 * Search for vital records, such as marriage and death

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

 * Collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you identify possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby locality
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle name, or even initials

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

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your 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.