Skip to main content

International Marine Health Certificates, 1791-1861

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1964 +

Scope and Contents

This is an artificial collection of marine bills of health from around the world identifying health conditions in port of departure and/or port of call to protect sailors and residents from contagious disease.

Dates

  • Creation: 1791-1861

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

Marine health certificates, or bills of health, were required documents certifying the status of contagious disease(s) at a port at the time of the ship's departure. A "clean" bill of health indicated that no plague or other contagious disease(s), or infection(s), were known to exist. A "suspected" bill of health indicated rumors of disease(s) or infection(s), but none were visible. A "foul" bill of health certified the port was infected at the time of the ship's departure (Stein 21).

Extent

1.67 Linear Feet (1 oversize box, 1 flat file)

Language of Materials

English

Italian

Latin

Spanish; Castilian

Abstract

This is an artificial collection of marine bills of health from around the world identifying health conditions in port of departure and/or port of call to protect sailors and residents from contagious disease.

Provenance

The majority of this collection was donated by the New England Genealogical Society on February 28, 1963 (Acc 16,143). A certificate from Cape Town, dated 1861, was donated by Charles Childs on March 1, 1963 (Acc 16,145). A certificate from Bermuda Hundred, dated 1791, was donated by Mrs. Frederick Jennings on December 10, 1965 (Acc 17,090). The collection was formerly cataloged as Ship. Mss. 47

Bibliography and Related Collections

Stein, Douglas L. American Maritime Documents 1776-1860: Illustrated and Described. Mystic, Ct.: Mystic Seaport Museum, 1992.

Processing Information

This material was placed in acid free folders.

Subject

Title
International Marine Health Certificates, 1791-1861
Status
Completed
Author
Hilary Streifer
Date
October 2023
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Phillips Library Repository

Contact:
Peabody Essex Museum
306 Newburyport Turnpike
Rowley MA 01969 USA