Family History - Whaling Ships Connecticut to New Zealand
 

Hello All,

Can anyone please let me know how access crew lists of whaling ships from from either: New London, New York, or New Bedford. New Bedford, Massachusetts and New London, Connecticut? The time frame is prior to 1840. My ancestor was born around 1809-1812 in West Haven, New Haven Connecticut - so these are neighbouring whaling ports.

The next question is: how to trace crew list documentation of whaling ships arriving in New Zealand? The time period would be sometime before March 1840 because by then he was on board a ship to Australia from New Zealand

I have an ancestor who may have been a crew member of a whaling ship that left from either left from New London, New York, or New Bedford. New Bedford, MA and New London, Connecticut - all these were whaling ports. My ancestor left from one of these ports and headed to New Zealand. A name that matches my ancestor then possibly boarded the barque Eleanor, 156 tons, from The Bay of Islands, under the command of Capt. W. H. Rhodes and arrived in Sydney on the 15th of March 1840.

Apparently, the peak time for visitation of American whalers to New Zealand was between the 1830s to 1840s. Accessed 25th January 2020 from, https://teara.govt.nz/en/whaling/page-1

I am new to maritime history - yes you probably guessed as much already. I would greatly appreciate any insights and leads of more learned folk.

One of the possible whaler's offspring was my maternal grandfather who has been verified as being a Rat of Tobruk (2/1st Pioneer Battalion - Sydney). See, there is some .... very tenuous ... link to military. I have a 1940 Chevrolet Holden's built 30 CWT ex-Army truck that I am restoring in my grandfather's honour... I did write "tenuous". My thinking is that my grandfather may have been transported around various places in a similar truck to mine.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel



Have you tried Mystic Seaport Museum https://www.mysticseaport.org/ in Connecticut. Also you might check the Peabody Essex Museum https://www.pem.org/ in Salem Massachusetts.


Cheers Phil

Hello Phil,

Thanks for the tips - it is much appreciated. I had found out about the Connecticut River Museum - not the other two you mentioned.

I have a long way to go regarding maritime research. Especially since I am at the very start of it.

P.S. Following your tip Phil, I just found a very interesting page on the Mystic site... Accessed 25th January 2020 from, https://research.mysticseaport.org/info/ib69-1/

Kind regards
Lionel

New Bedford Waling Museum
 

The Whaling Museums of New England USA area are very experienced and professional. Newc