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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: calmar on Tuesday 23 September 08 09:13 BST (UK)

Title: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: calmar on Tuesday 23 September 08 09:13 BST (UK)

Hi,

A friend of mine has an ancestor, John Anderson born 1817,  who was a Master Mariner around 1840's, sailing out of Hull and, re the WDYTYA programme last week, she was wondering where she could search for his records.

Would it be at Kew or in Greenwich?

Regards,

Calmar
 :)

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 23 September 08 09:43 BST (UK)

Mariners records/ships records etc are all patchy in what has survived, and tend to be in a variety of places.

I would try Greenwich, Kew, and Local Record Offices!

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: calmar on Tuesday 23 September 08 10:03 BST (UK)

Many thanks Liz.

Calmar
 :)

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: Ecneps on Tuesday 23 September 08 10:57 BST (UK)

There was a similar posting yesterday, which might help

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,329333.msg2096456.html#msg2096456


Barbara  :)

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: calmar on Tuesday 23 September 08 11:50 BST (UK)

Thanks Barbara,

I rang Greenwich and they don't keep the records. I was referred to National Maritime Museum who gave me the link to the National Archives where you can search yourself at Kew or get someone to do it for you for a fee.

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.catalogues/researchguidesindex

Calmar
 :)

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: keith110639 on Friday 03 October 08 11:18 BST (UK)

I have my Gt Gt Grandfather, Matthew Southwell Vine, Master mariner, from around 1850 to 1878, and his son John Henry, Master mariner to around 1900. They were captains of a "Billy boy" Ketch, "Breeze". They sailed from Spalding up and down the North sea coast and as far as Caen on the continent. I would like to know if there are copies of masters certificates for them at Kew but am reluctant to travel all that way to do search. What would be the chance of finding someone local to Kew who be willing to look for me.
Kind regards
Keith

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: calmar on Friday 03 October 08 11:42 BST (UK)

Hi Keith,

If you ring The National Archives at Kew 020 8876 3444, and speak  to someone there, they will give you details of how to have a search done. They will do it  for £15 for 15 mins or there are other researchers, of which they will send you lists. 

Calmar

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: lizdb on Friday 03 October 08 11:46 BST (UK)

Nothing beats finding things yourself  if you can make the trip sometime, Keith. even if you have to wait till it can be combined with some other reason to visit the area,  or till you have saved up for a short break in Kew area!

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: keith110639 on Friday 03 October 08 13:18 BST (UK)

Thanks calmar & lizdb, I found another link on a previous post re Index to the Registers of Lloyds of London (Guildhall Library) and found Matthew & his brother Joseph but not John Henry. Not sure of the ref numbers. For Joseph S75190 & Vol,14 1869-1872: Vol.26 1874 - 1875 and Matthew S48582 & Vol.14 no voyages listed. Am I right in thinking the S75190 & S48582 are the masters certificate numbers? and the dates are for voyages recorded for Joseph. Also if I do decide to make a visit to Kew do I have to book in advance to do a search?
Kind regards
Keith

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: Cherrian on Sunday 09 November 08 09:14 GMT (UK)

Hi

As no one has picked up on this yet, and as I am currently finding out about my own master mariner, I can confirm that the S numbers are the master's certificate numbers.
I think the Lloyds Registers contain details of the boats of which someone was a master over that period rather than details of actual voyages.  Voyages can be found in Crew List Agreements (helpfully scattered across three or four repositories!).
When going to Kew, it's a good idea to search and reserve what you want to see ahead of time, and then the documents will be waiting for you when you get there.  You also get allocated a seat as well if you do it this way.

Cherrian

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: bearkat on Sunday 09 November 08 09:54 GMT (UK)

Southampton Archives has some records for Merchant Seamen


http://www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/localhistoryandheritage/archives/collections/merhantseamen/default.asp#0

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: keith110639 on Sunday 09 November 08 14:02 GMT (UK)

Hi Cherrian,
Thanks for the info on the S numbers etc. I am hopeing to be able to make a visit to the national Archives next spring to hopefully get copies of masters certificates.
Regards
Keith

Title: Re: Where to search for Master Mariner's records
Post by: alex m on Thursday 27 November 08 22:49 GMT (UK)

Hello, Before 1845 there wasn't a registration system for masters & mates, according to the N/A Kew leaflet that I got the last time I looked in those records. they are easy to look through, and are well written(at least the ones I looked at were). They are under the BT/      section. I suggested to someone else on this forum, that googling 'merchant navy' brings up a lot of forums which are directly related to the MN, and I'm sure must be useful for researchers.           Regards...........Alex