passenger lists

[alan w jones]

Hello , I was wondering how comprehensive the " Passenger Lists " are ? I am wondering if it was possible that a couple of my ancestors might have gone to Canada , USA etc without being listed ? Does the Passenger Lists account for every ship that sailed ?
Any advice much appreciated , thank you .
Regards
Alan

[KGarrad]

The UK, Outward Passenger Lists database contains passenger lists recording the names of people leaving from UK ports for destinations outside of Europe. While outbound passenger lists before 1890 have not survived, this collection still covers decades of peak emigration. It includes not only British citizens but also others who traveled through the UK on their way to other destinations.

The list were compiled by the Board of Trade, so should be comprehensive.

[alan w jones]

Thank you , it was just an idea in case anyone had slipped through the net
Regards
Alan

[Mowsehowse]

Thank you , it was just an idea in case anyone had slipped through the net.   Regards  Alan

Given that mariners seem to have ploughed backwards and forwards across the Altantic continually, I would think it is not impossible that a few people travelled on craft that are not recorded on the passenger lists. 

[greenrig]

I'm sure the lists could not be 100% comprehensive.  Just consider merchant mariners (as already said), stowaways, clerical errors, lost records, people traveling under false names (for various reasons), people who travel to mainland Europe - then go elsewhere worldwide, soldiers & sailors on campaigns......