Joe, Very good questions. I'll just supplement John Polk's reply a teeny bit. In general, for there to be records to be found, someone has to be keeping them for some reason. John's point about non-immigrant status of persons from British territories is quite valid, and DE did not have a 'headright' system for allocating land under the Penn Proprietary, as MD and VA did. However, the ancient Horrekill/Deal Court records might occasionally note some immigrants, and that could be an 'issue' for holdovers from the original settlements. Lewes: if you look at Sussex Co. Deeds Vol. A you will see allocations of lots in the 1690s+ and halting attempts to develop infrastructure (docks, streets, roads) and services (weaving, milling) and road-communications thereto. I doubt you will find a "port" apparatus in the 1675-1725 period, in the sense of some registration of cargoes accompanied by tariffs or other regulation, inspection of warehouses, etc. DE, especially Sussex Co., with its mix of thin sandy soil and bogs was not a major cash-crop producer/exporter. Fairly good for retting flax, and the 'water meadows' had their advantages. Baltimore was founded in 1729. Interesting question about Philadelphia; I have wondered when the Penn Proprietary began taking Oaths of Allegiance from all the non-British immigrants and under what decree/legislation - but never tried to research the question. The existing ships' records are clearly not the whole of what once existed. Good hunting, Judy .</HTML>