Passenger Manifests (1848-1891)

Click here to search the Passenger Manifest database.

Massachusetts officials began recording the names of immigrants who arrived by ship in January 1848. This procedure continued until July 1891, when federal records-keeping programs superseded state systems.

Although immigrants arrived at numerous Massachusetts ports, this database only includes arrivals in the port of Boston from 1848-1891. Manifests are arranged chronologically according to the ship’s arrival date.

You can use the Archives’ alphabetical card index to search for specific passenger arrivals by name. Archives volunteers are working to convert the card index into a searchable database, though this work is not yet complete.

If the surname you seek does not appear in the database, you can search digital images of the card index through FamilySearch.org, or contact the Archives Reference Staff for assistance.

Original Manifests

The original manifests can be accessed online through FamilySearch.org. The collection is cataloged as HS3.02/1990X: Registers of passengers arriving in Massachusetts ports, 1848-1891.