Following are a few fine research libraries for genealogical and/or maritime history. Most are in California as that is my home base. However, as I come across museums in other port cities, they are included here also towards the bottom of this page.
Of course, excellent facilities exist around the globe. Smith's Master Index to Maritime Museum Web Sites is helpful for conducting research beyond California.
California
The Bancroft Library
The Bancroft Library officially dates from 1905, when the University of California acquired Hubert Howe Bancroft's personal library. However, it was actually started 42 years earlier, when Bancroft discovered 75 volumes pertaining to California and the West on the shelves of his own San Francisco bookstore. The Library includes the Mark Twain Papers and Project, the Regional Oral History Office, the University of California Archives, and the Pictorial Collection. It has become one of the largest special collections in the United States.
The California Historical Society
Collections of historical documents and manuscripts including fine arts, photographs, texts, maps and several special collections found nowhere else in the country.
678 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
The J. Porter Shaw San Francisco Maritime Library
The San Francisco Maritime Library at Fort Mason has an extensive
collection of reference materials for maritime researchers. It is filled with
photos, historical papers, books on California maritime history, photographs
and additional information on the ships listed at this site. Well worth a visit and open to the public; call first as the Librarian may have to meet you there.
National Historical Maritime Park
Houses an impressive collection
of large-scale model ships to the larger-than-life figureheads that once crowned
the bows of Gold Rush-era clippers, and Gold-Rush era photographs. The Museum
features special exhibits and discussions relating to the Gold Rush.
The Maritime Historical National Park, which is adjacent
to the Museum, has a large collection of historical
vessels. Some are open to the public and the Pampanito is available to scout troops for overnight adventures. Beach Street at the Foot
of Polk, just two blocks from Fisherman's Wharf, across from Ghirardelli
Chocolate Factory, San Francisco.
National Archives and Records Administration, Pacific Region (San Francisco)
Contains nationwide holdings relating to family history/genealogy research and veterans' service records, reproductions, NARA Archival Information Locator (NAIL) database, Government documents and library materials, and more. Their Northern California office is at:
NARA - Pacific Region (San Francisco)
Archival Operations Staff (NRHA-S)
1000 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066-2350
(Approximately 12 miles south of San Francisco)
Holdings include records from Federal agencies and courts in northern California, Hawaii, Nevada (except Clark County), the Pacific Trust Territories, and American Samoa. Call 650-876-9009 for information. They also have ships logs from about 1880 onward.
San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch
The Main Branch at 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco holds microfiche of newspapers published in early San Francisco — invaluable to any researcher. Collections include an African America Center, Chinese Center, Filipino American Center, San Francisco History Center (invaluable reference works), San Francisco Photo Collection.
The
Oakland Museum of California
The Oakland Museum has ongoing displays of early California artifacts, including
a model gold assayer's office, a fire engine and a classic carriage. The museum
also features displays of the State's indigenous cultures and flora and fauna.
General information: 510 238 2200.
Chinese Historical Society Museum
This small museum is the only one in San Francisco to focus on the Chinese experience in America, from The Gold Rush to present day. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Free admission. 650 Commercial Street, San Francisco. 415 391 1188.
A Few Favorite Maritime Museums
Museum of the City of New York (NY)
Among the city’s major museums. A variety of exhibitions, public programs, and publications all investigate what gives New York City its singular character. Houses The Port of New York's maritime history.
National Maritime Historical Society Sea History, New York
Founded in 1963, the Society is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of our nation's maritime heritage and the role seafaring has played in shaping civilization, through publications, educational programs, sail training and the preservation of historic ships.
Mystic Seaport, Maine
Home to the tall ships of Mystic Seaport and New England’s only beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, the town of Mystic exudes New England charm and is worth a visit just to see the town.
New Zealand Maritime Museum
First visited in 2002, this has become a favorite.
It is situated along Auckland's wonderful waterfront, a ferry boat ride away from lovely Devonport, and near historical buildings. It houses stories of amazing journeys, courage, exploration and it houses records; this is where we first found records of Captain James H. Blethen's voyages to Australia and New Zealand during the 1800s when he opened the mail routes between the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and southern ports. From their pages: A visit to Voyager begins by retracing the steps of the first human settlers to sail to New Zealand. “Te Waka: Our great journey” is a ten minute fully animated film which retells the mighty story of the arrival of the first migratory voyage to Aotearoa some 1,000 years ago. This epic adventure overcame monumental challenges to set the tone for New Zealand’s pioneering future. Their acquisitions include:
- Polynesian and Maori vessels and navigation
- European voyages of discovery
- Settlement and immigration
- Early coastal trading
- Whaling and sealing
- Lifeboat services, piloting and coastguard activities
- Navigation and marine surveying
- Maritime art and crafts
- Maritime trades
- Harbour and port history
The Curacao Maritime Museum
The Curaçao Maritime Museum takes visitors on a discovery tour of more than 500 years maritime history of Curaçao. The story-line is illustrated through a well-laid out permanent exhibition consisting of displays with authentic nautical charts, ship models and navigation equipment combined with audiovisual techniques.
The museum is a short walk from ports of call for major shipping lines; it features a fine restaurant with views of the town and harbor.
A Few Favorite Internet Sites
Maritime History Archive
A Guide to Maritime History on the Internet
The Maritime History Virtual Archives
A gentlemen named Lars Bruzelius has put up the most impressive site of: Bibliotheca Nautica, Bibliographies and Antiquarian Bookshops; Etymology, including Dictionaries; Biographies; Societies; Conferences & Lectures; Maritime and Naval Museums; Ship models; Shipbuilding and Naval Architecture - Mainly wooden shipbuilding; Masting and Rigging; Seamanship; Ships - Mainly sailing ships from the second half of the 19th century; The Duties of Officers and Men; Maritime History, including Shipwrecks and other Disasters at Sea; Naval History; images of ships and ship models; Health of Seamen, with a couple of quotations on scurvy.
Schoonerman
A site for lovers of all tall ships. Schoonerman has details and photographs of schooners, brigs, brigantines, barks and fully rigged tall ships. If you love the history of the sea or the feel of the wind, don't miss this site.
Ozships: Australian shipping 1788-1968
This site contains shipping and passenger information for Australia and, to a lesser extent, New Zealand. As well as arrival and departure details, where possible, background information is also provided. The site contains over 51,000 shipping movements and more than 70,000 passenger entries, with the shipping information starting at 1788 and going through to 1968.
Virtual Museum of San Francisco
The Museum's Web site features stories of San Francisco through the years. Well organized, excellent collection of facts and photographs chronicling the growth of one of the world's greatest cities.
