Overview | Vol 1 | Vol 2 | Vol 3 | Vol 4 | Sample Entry | Libraries | Other Sources
Mr. Rasmussen has compiled a series of four books pertaining to ships ARRIVING at the Port of San Francisco from 1850 until 1875. While not all inclusive, they are the best source for reference to passengers arriving in San Francisco during that period (per the San Francisco Maritime Museum). OVERVIEW
The books are a compilation of information extracted from newspaper accounts, letters, books, collections, diaries and any other notations that were made regarding passengers arriving in S.F.
Each book contains ship arrivals by date with the passengers listed aboard. They normally do NOT contain lists of Crew or passengers in steerage. They do list cargo when available and notes on the routes and passage as well as significant events that occurred during the voyage. Ship's name, type, captain and arrival date are all listed.
Each of them also provides an index to Passenger Names, Ships Names, Captain's Names as well as a general index that covers anything from cargo contents to diseases to ports of call.
Background information on San Francisco shipping is also included in each book.
Mr. Rasmussen has done an outstanding job of piecing together as many facts as were available. Many ships and passengers were not listed and some were misspelled in the records Mr. Rasmussen reviewed. In many cases he included not only the likely misspelled word or name, but also his best interpolation of what it might have been. Volume 4 has an update to the previous 3 volumes with corrections and additions that he had direct evidence of.
Background: Tonnage of Steam Vessels, Sail and Towing Boats to and from San Francisco. Distances to foreign Ports (from San Francisco).
Description: Cloth cover Introductory Volume in a series which, for the first time, covers San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists (Arrivals) for the period of 1850 - 1875 (not comprehensive). 1965. Contact Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21202
Availability: Currently out of print
VOLUME 2
Background: Sailing Directions for Entering Port of San Francisco, During 1851. Steam Lines Upon the Pacific.
Tables of Distances, Steamboat Routes in California (up river).
Description: Cloth cover A compilation of San Francisco ship passenger lists (Arrivals) for the period of Apr.6, 1850 - Nov.4, 1851. 1966. ISBN 0911792-01-5 (Far more coverage for the period than Vol 1, but not comprehensive)
Availability: Can be purchased
VOLUME 3
Background: Not known, copy not located. Description: Cloth cover A compilation of San Francisco ship passenger lists (Arrivals) for the period of Nov.7, 1851 - Jun.17, 1852. 1967. ISBN 0911792-02-3 (Far more coverage for the period than Vol 1, but not comprehensive)
Availability: Currently out of print
VOLUME 4
Background: San Francisco Waterfront area in 1851. Average Clipper Passage Time.
Vessels Carrying Chinese Passengers to San Francisco (January 1852 - August 1852).
Scuttled and Buried Vessels on San Francisco's Waterfront. (ie. The Panama is buried under Davis St. between Clay and Washington Streets.)
Description: Cloth cover A compilation of San Francisco ship passenger lists (Arrivals) for the period of Jun.17, 1852 - Jan.6, 1853. 1970. ISBN 0911792-03-1 (Far more coverage for the period than Vol 1, but not comprehensive)
Availability: Can be purchased.
SAMPLE ENTRY
SHIP: TENNESSEE TYPE: Steamer FROM: Panama ARRIVED: July 20., 1851 CAPTAIN: Totten PASSAGE: 19 days and 15 hours from Panama. On July 6., 1851 Mr. Stephen Sneed, of Alabama., a cabin passenger died during passage, Death was caused by inflamation of the bowels. Through the efforts of Dr. C.C. Garritt and other friends he was buried on shore at San Blas., Mexico. Another cabin passenger., R.S. Haynes died during the passage to San Francisco. CARGO: 8 tons of mail (largest amount ever brought to San Francisco by One vessel). Passengers: Mrs. ____ McDougal Mrs. Perry and Mrs. Clinkers and family family A.J. Wood Lt. _____ Stevenson ... Snip! S. Abrahams J. Alexander J. Burt S. Barnes C. Barber J. Brown D. Bucklin J. Barber J. Butler G. Bruges E. Brinsley A. Butler William Battells Ant. Brim ... Snip!Return to the Top of the Page
Check your local libraries for copies. Libraries
Limited research is available for queries regarding specific ships or specific dates of embarkation or disembarkation from San Francisco. It is also possible to get copies of old photographs of specified ships and other related subjects. Other Sources
Contact:
San Francisco Maritime National History ParkConsisting of:
Hyde Street Pier The Maritime Museum The Maritime Museum Library - Call (415)556-9870 - Reference services are available through the Maritime Library at (415) 556-9870 - For other information, call the Historic Documents Department at (415)556-9876 or write to: Public Affairs San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Bldg. E, Fort Mason Center San Francisco, CA 94123 Historic Fleet
WARNING! These books are NOT comprehensive. The original records were lost in the Earthquake and Fire of 1906. Don't expect to find all of your relatives who arrived during the periods listed. I'm currently running at about one hit for every three names checked at this time which is great!