Researching Your Ancestors
Above Portraits of Whaling Masters in the New Bedford Whaling Museum were restored through the generosity of the Descendants of Whaling Masters.
The following links may be helpful in documenting your ancestor:
Mystic Seaport/New Bedford Whaling Museum - Research Links
A comprehensive list of whaling history databases
National Maritime Digital Library
Whaling Collection Archives at the New Bedford Free Public Library
(A comprehensive index to men and ships on whaling voyages from the New Bedford Customs District from 1807 to 1925.)
FamilySearch • Free Family Trees and Genealogy Archives
The Nicholson Whaling Collection - Providence Public Library (provlib.org)
free digitized whaling logs
History of the American Whale Fishery from its Earliest Inception to the Year 1876 by Alexander Starbuck
Ship registry of New Bedford 1796-1939
Whaling Masters Voyages 1731-1925
compiled by Federal Writers Project of W.P.A., printed by Old Dartmouth
History of the American Whale Fishery from its earliest inception to the year 1876
by Starbuck, Alexander, 1841-1925
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Nantucket Historical Association
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
The Ocean Alliance
Additional resources can be found at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Library which include a Whaling Crew List Database;
"Whaling Masters and Whaling Voyages Sailing American Ports: A Compilation of Sources" by Judith Lund;
and "Whaling Masters" directory, published by the Old Dartmouth Historical Society
If you need further assistance in researching your ancestor, please contact
DWM Membership and Genealogical Committee Chairperson, Christine Davis, who may be able to assist you.
DWM Membership and Genealogical Committee Chairperson, Christine Davis, who may be able to assist you.