Canada, Merchant Marine Agreements and Accounts of Crews - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection covers the years of 1890-1920.

These records cover ports in British Columbia (primarily in Victoria), some in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and a few foreign ports. The documents are organized by ship and include, among other information, the signatures of crew members, their ages and birthplaces. Each box includes a general inventory of its contents listing box and file numbers, date, ship name, location and owner. The original records are in possession of the British Columbia Archives in Victoria.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
Records may contain the following information:
 * Full name of crew member
 * Year of birth
 * Place of birth
 * Previous ship served on
 * Date and place of agreement
 * Date, place, cause of death
 * Name of ship

Sample Images
Each box has a list that includes the name of the ship and the year of departure. Below are sample images of the indexes and ship lists:

How Do I Search This Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name and age of your ancestor
 * The name of the ship they traveled on

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page.
 * 1) Select Box Number and Years

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.



I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?
Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. Look at the actual image of the record to verify the information and to find additional information.
 * Make sure to fully transcribe and cite the record entry for future reference; see the section Citing this Collection for assistance. Save or print a copy of the image
 * Use the information found in the record to find other records such as emigrations, port records, and ship’s manifests.

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

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives.
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check other possible ports of entry
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar 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:

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