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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Seaman on Tuesday 26 February 13 06:27 GMT (UK)

Title: Master certificate.
Post by: Seaman on Tuesday 26 February 13 06:27 GMT (UK)

Have just got a copy of my ancestors master certificate can someone help me find what ships he sailed on, his certificate number is 27.149, his name is George Henry Brooks place of birth Appledore,birth date 1833, issue date was 2 April 1886. Any help would be appreciated.
Julia

Title: Re: Master certificate.
Post by: seaweed on Tuesday 26 February 13 09:49 GMT (UK)

Are there any numbers apart from his masters certificate number any where on the document you have?
If not then the easiest way to find out which vessels he sailed on as master or mate is to take a look at Lloyd's Captains Register which is held by London Metropolitan Archives. He is listed  in the index under the surname BrookEs
http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capsB2.pdf
If you cannot get to London, LMA do have a research service although it is not cheap.
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visiting-the-city/archives-and-city-history/london-metropolitan-archives/family-history/Pages/Family-History-Research-Service.aspx
There may be records on Microform at the National Archives
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=344192&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5
but LMA is your best bet.
According to the Mercantile Navy List. He passed his Only Mates Certificate at Bristol in 1862. His surname is spelt Brooks. Bristol would be the nearest port to Appledore where examinations were held.
Only Mate. Meant just that, he would be the only mate on a ship. This together with him passing his Masters exam in Cork would indicate him working on smaller vessels in and around the Bristol Channel.

Title: Re: Master certificate.
Post by: Seaman on Tuesday 26 February 13 19:32 GMT (UK)

Morning Seaweed, Thank you for that, your advise has helped however I won't be able to visit the LMA as I live in NZ but will see what the cost would be for a search, I may have to settle with the list you posted.
Julia

Title: Re: Master certificate.
Post by: leighton on Thursday 28 February 13 14:41 GMT (UK)

Hello Seaman,

There is additional documentation regarding George Henry Brooks with his Mate's and Master's certificates on the ancestry website.

When you call up his certificate on the screen, look at the adjacent pages. You should also find a list of the ships he sailed in since he first went to sea.

leighton

Title: Re: Master certificate.
Post by: Seaman on Thursday 28 February 13 19:57 GMT (UK)

Morning Leighton,
Thank you for that information I managed to add a few more details and people to my tree, it was a great help.
Have a great day.
Julia from sunny and very very dry NZ