Does anyone know where passenger manifests would be archived for eastern U.S. ports reaching back to 1700?

Question

I think I know the name of an ancestor arriving at either Baltimore or Philadelphia around 1700 but wouldn't know where to begin to access such materials. Anyone else know?

Answer 1

The National Archives and the Port of Philadelphia both keep passenger manifests back to 1830. Anything prior to that is kept by the State Archives of Pennsylvania and the State Archives of Maryland, plus the Philadelphia Public Library and Baltimore Libraries. There are some online, but not many. You can either order the films through your local library via Interlibrary Loan or through the LDS Family History Centers.

Answer 2

http://www.theshipslist.com/

To my knowledge, this is the best site for early immigration lists.

However.. be realistic. The ones that are used, are simply ones that SURVIVED. Many records just don't exist for that far back.

Your best bet is being absolutely sure that you have worked back meticulously, with every level documented. Since you say you "think" you know the name.. I wonder if you would know the right immigrant, if you found him? You MIGHT find an alternate thing.. for example, land grants in VA were based on persons who were transported. That is not a passenger list, but it is close.

I'm honest... I have almost 30 yrs experience, have worked to the immigrant on many lines... but when you talk about 'linking' the immigrant back overseas.. I cringe to think of it.  It isn't easy.

Answer 3

Part of the 1700s will be before there was a United States.  You have 13 colonies and I would imagine it would be how each colony handled those coming through their ports.  It might be libraries in the various states that were one of the original 13 could be helpful.