“SEAFARER BY PROFESSION”: ENROLLMENTS OF SEAMEN AND THE MARITIME HISTORY OF PORTUGAL AND ITS DOMAINS IN 18^TH AND 19^TH CENTURIES¹

Abstract:

This study presents the Enrollment Records of merchant ships that left Lisbon between the second half of the 18^th century and the first decades of the 19^th century. I highlight the potential of this source for studies about circulation of seafarers. Among other topics, this source allows one: to make an inventory of positions and functions on board; to establish individuals’ time of experience and age when they enrolled in professions of the sea; to establish relationships among types of vessels, routes, crew size and travel time; to establish the differences of naturalness, social condition, age, training and experience of the seamen.

Keywords:
Maritime History; seafarers; social history of labor