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My great great great grandfather Oscar Smith, from Windsor Vermont, born in 1829, is mentioned as a whaler on the bark Globe, from New Bedford in 1850. Where can I get a copy of his Seaman's protection Certificate?

Delilah

Oscar Smith on the whaling bark Globe.pdf

  • 0

    The Mystic Seaport Museum has an online database "Registers of Seamen’s Protection Certificates" but there is no Oscar Smith listed in that. https://research.mysticseaport.org/databases/protection/ Note: This database includes certificates issued at the Custom Houses of Fall River, Gloucester, New Haven, New London, Newport, Marblehead, and Salem.

    The Museum also has this information: "No copies of original certificates are available—the originals were kept by the seamen to whom they were issued."

    I also checked Ancestry.com's "U.S., Citizenship Affidavits of US-born Seamen at Select Ports, 1792-1869" and "Register of Seamen's Protection Certificates from the Providence, Rhode Island Customs District, 1796-1870" and "Indexes to Seamen's Protection Certificate Applications and Proofs of Citizenship" but did not find Oscar Smith in those, either.

  • 0 in reply to ASB

    Thank you ASB. I am baffled! The Bedford Whaling Museum sent me a copy of the list of the bark, Globe, and also the original copy which mentioned him as from Windsor Vermont, brown hair, light skin. Would that be enough information for me, to try and find out where I can get a copy of his birth certificate though? Where can I ask?

    There was an Oscar C Smith mentioned in the Vermont newspapers, for unclaimed mail, from the Windsor Vermont Post Office. One in Jan1849, and one in Jan 1850. Then he was on the bark, Globe in Sept 1850 I am so stuck! Help! 

    I've built a family tree based around the Smiths from Windsor Vermont and still nothing. 

  • 0

    This is a list of New England Seamen's Protection Certificates or proofs of citizenship for seamen that are held by the National Archives.  Many of them are online, but there is no index.  United States, New England Seamen Records - Inventory • FamilySearch

  • +1 in reply to Susannah Brooks

    Thank you Susannah Brooks. I've tried that one but no luck. My last resort would be to ask for a copy of his birth certificate. 

  • 0 in reply to Delilah

    You won't be able to find his Seamen Protection Certificate because HE would have had it. They didn't make copies.

    Re: looking for his birth record, FamilySearch.org has information on Vermont Vital Records here: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Vermont_Vital_Records#Vital_Records_Reference_Dates

    Where and when did Oscar Smith pass away? His death records, burial location, probate, obituary, etc. etc. could offer clues as to his parents and/or siblings (which could lead back to his parents.)

  • 0 in reply to ASB

    Death records! Thank you ASB! I'll look into it now. Thanking you! Slight smile

  • 0

      

    Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!
     
    The National Archives and Records Administration reference section (RR1R) located in Washington, DC does hold some Seamen's Protection Certificates in Record Group 36 Records of the U.S. Customs Service.  I performed a preliminary search in Entry P-36 (NAID 7581044) Index to Abstracts of Seamen's Protection certificates at Various Ports, ca. 1795-ca. 1875. These records are located in Stack 15E3, Row 14, Compartment 21, Shelf 2, Box 126. I was able to locate an index card for Oscar Smith with a reference to file number 2367. File 2365 is within Entry P-45 (NAID 7595356) Records Relating to Seamen's Protection Certificates Including Abstracts and Registers, Proofs, Applications, and Certificates, 1796–1890. These records are located in Stack 15E3, Row 44, Compartment 21, Shelf 4, Box 6. I located an entry under number September 5, 1950 for Oscar Smith. This record is available for viewing or reproduction.  
     
    Should you decide that you would like to view this file in person, research appointments are highly encouraged but you may also conduct research as a walk-in. Appointments are available on the National Archives DC-area Research Appointments page. Research appointments are for the entire day during our operating hours of 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
     
    Should you like to request a reproduction of this file we will be happy to provide you a quote for reproductions. If you would like to receive a quote please send an email to archives1reference@nara.gov with the information in the email and your mailing address.

     

    We invite you to continue the conversation with community members on History Hub, but should you have follow-up questions for the staff at Archives 1, please email us at archives1reference@nara.gov so that we can assist you further.

    We hope this assists you with your research!

     
    Sincerely,
     
    Archives 1 Reference Branch
    [RR1R-25-14165-CW]
  • 0 in reply to A1 Reference Branch

    Thank you so so much 

    Archives 1 Reference Branch
    [RR1R-25-14165-CW]
    You have no idea how much this means to me! I will request a reproduction of this file Slight smile . As soon as I get home, I will send the email through. Thank you once again, this has made my day! Slight smile
    Delilah 
  • 0 in reply to Susannah Brooks

    Hi Susannah,

    I cannot seem to locate the link you sent me, but I found something VERY interesting as I was going through the link! My 3rd great grandfather has his middle initial "C" mentioned in there. Wow! I have a copy of the photo shot.

    Slight smile There must be one more record somewhere. He WAS on the bark, Globe in 1850 and his name is Oscar Smith but the link you sent me has his name as Oscar "C" Smith. This could be the breakthrough of my research into finding him. Susannah, thank you.