Examples of Collection
Manuscripts relating to CHINA TRADE
This is a paper, handwritten guide available in the library. Ask a librarian to see it. It will direct you to many useful items available in the Seaport archives
However, note that the Guide was compiled in 1984 and is somewhat outdated today. Also, the call numbers are wrong. So while the guide is helpful for identifying useful material, a staff member will have to identify its current location.
Overview: Because the aforementioned guide is not available online (and not even mentioned on the website), I've written up a brief overview to provide a better sense of what is available at the archives.
An unidentified packet can be found in the back of this book that highlights some important material. I've paraphrased some of the most interesting details here.
Seamen’s Missions: Their Origin and Early Growth. A Contribution to the History of the Church Maritime
This book, written by Roald Kverndal in 1986 (and published by the William Carey Library) describes the missions serving sailors across the globe. Although its not a manuscript, I mention it because it has a good index and really detailed endnotes that help identify the original source material.
For example it mentions the Bible Society of Pennsylvania. On page 465 it also mentions Dr. Robert Morrison, a missionary for American Seamen’s Friend Society who was their first missionary in Asia. It is said that in 1822, he published the first ever English-text tract in China.
Seamen's Church Institute Records
This collection documents the Seamen's Church Institute between the years of 1843 and 2000. It is a seamen's service and welfare organization in Philadelphia. The Chinese Christian Church and Center receives much coverage in these files.
The Barry-Hayes Papers
A Descriptive Guide is supposedly available online at this location, but last time I checked it wasn't loading properly. A printed descriptive guide is also available in the library, though the series has recently been reprocessed, so some box and or folder numbers may not match those given in the finding aid. However the numbers for individual items (i.e. JB 31 for a particular letter) are the same; these can be used to locate a particular letter even when it is in a new folder because the folders are all labeled.
Descriptive Guide: I've written up some details of the guide here. These papers are also now available on microfilm for interlibrary loan.
Henry Grier Bryant Papers
These include journals from the "World Cruise"
Online FINDING AID (PDF)
Mrs. Rutherford Mead Shepard
Log Book: 1934, Southern Hemisphere World Cruise
This covers Southeast Asia mostly: Java, New Zealand, Singapore, Madras, etc.
Even more interesting than the pictures are the travel brochures published by the cruise company, like the one that promises dances of “at least 60 people each” and a warrior dance with 20. They describe the primitive natives and exotic, untouched islands of the South Pacific.
The Captain John Green Papers
These include materials on the China Trade.
Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping
This insurance company was the major player for insuring ships going abroad. It doesn’t give details of cargo on board, and it doesn’t cover every ship (it was just one company) but it does provide an extensive look at what the industry looked like.