diff --git a/pkg/hold/server.go b/pkg/hold/server.go
index 848f404..0442216 100644
--- a/pkg/hold/server.go
+++ b/pkg/hold/server.go
@@ -123,7 +123,26 @@ func NewHoldServer(cfg *Config) (*HoldServer, error) {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to create S3 service: %w", err)
 		}
 
-		// Bootstrap PDS with captain record, hold owner as first crew member, and profile
+		// Bootstrap events from existing repo records (one-time migration).
+		// Must run BEFORE the live event handler is wired, so it captures
+		// the full historical state without interference from new writes.
+		if err := s.broadcaster.BootstrapFromRepo(s.PDS); err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("Failed to bootstrap events from repo", "error", err)
+		}
+
+		// Backfill records index from existing MST data (one-time on startup)
+		if err := s.PDS.BackfillRecordsIndex(ctx); err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("Failed to backfill records index", "error", err)
+		}
+
+		// Wire up repo event handler with records indexing + broadcaster.
+		// Must be BEFORE Bootstrap so that record creates/updates during
+		// bootstrap (captain, crew, profile) emit to the firehose.
+		indexingHandler := s.PDS.CreateRecordsIndexEventHandler(s.broadcaster.SetRepoEventHandler())
+		s.PDS.RepomgrRef().SetEventHandler(indexingHandler, true)
+
+		// Bootstrap PDS with captain record, hold owner as first crew member, and profile.
+		// Now that the event handler is wired, any changes here emit to the firehose.
 		if err := s.PDS.Bootstrap(ctx, s3Service, pds.BootstrapConfig{
 			OwnerDID:           cfg.Registration.OwnerDID,
 			Public:             cfg.Server.Public,
@@ -148,20 +167,6 @@ func NewHoldServer(cfg *Config) (*HoldServer, error) {
 			}
 		}
 
-		// Bootstrap events from existing repo records (one-time migration)
-		if err := s.broadcaster.BootstrapFromRepo(s.PDS); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("Failed to bootstrap events from repo", "error", err)
-		}
-
-		// Backfill records index from existing MST data (one-time on startup)
-		if err := s.PDS.BackfillRecordsIndex(ctx); err != nil {
-			slog.Warn("Failed to backfill records index", "error", err)
-		}
-
-		// Wire up repo event handler with records indexing + broadcaster
-		indexingHandler := s.PDS.CreateRecordsIndexEventHandler(s.broadcaster.SetRepoEventHandler())
-		s.PDS.RepomgrRef().SetEventHandler(indexingHandler, true)
-
 		slog.Info("Embedded PDS initialized successfully with firehose and records index enabled")
 	} else {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("database path is required for embedded PDS authorization")