U.S. Customs Service (Muskegon, MI) records

This collection of five microfilm rolls documents the issuance of certificates and sale of vessels recorded at the Muskegon, MI office of the US Customs Service for the years 1916-1956. Certificates of Enrollment and Registry are found on rolls one through four. Roll 4 also contains a record of marine documents deposited from the Muskegon Customs office from 1936-1956. Bills of Sale can be found on rolls four and five. The financial and legal files in this collection document a portion of the regulatory work of the US Customs Service in twentieth century.

Record series established by Section 4319 and 4321, Revised Statutes, and Act of April 24, 1906, as amended by Act of February 29, 1912, to conform to Title L, “Regulation of Vessels in Domestic Commerce of Revised Statutes of the United States.” Contains vessel rig, name, official number, home port, year and place built, building material, dimensions, tonnage, number of decks, number of masts, type of head and stern, rebuild and remeasure dates, number of crew, owner, most recent prior document data and reason for surrender, number and date of current document, when, where, and why surrendered.

Contains registry number, date and district of issuance, owners, master, when and where vessel was built, most recent prior registry/enrollment data and reason for surrender, vessel name, rig, dimensions, tonnage, number of decks, number of masts, and type of head and stern. The document was issued to vessels engaged in foreign trade.

Contains vessel rig, name, type and number of document, port and date of issuance, latest renewal document number and date, department letter number and date, case number and date of fines imposed, district, from which document was received and date received, district to which document was transferred and transferal date, remarks.

Contains participants, places of residence, date and amount of consideration, date for record received, book of record, vessel rig, name, tonnage, and data of Consolidated Certificate of Enrollment and License (see above).