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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Pam54 on Friday 21 March 14 19:15 GMT (UK)

Title: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Friday 21 March 14 19:15 GMT (UK)

I have recently got the Naval record for my g-g-grandfather but am having difficulty in deciphering the page listing all the postings and what it all means.  I am wondering if there is an expert at these things who would be willing to take a look at it for me please?
Thanks for reading.
Pam

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: janan on Friday 21 March 14 19:26 GMT (UK)

Would you be able to post the bit you are having trouble with Pam? Not the whole page though as that may infringe copyright.

Jan ;)

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Neil Todd on Friday 21 March 14 19:27 GMT (UK)

Hi again Pam, You would need to scan the images you want deciphered and post these as an attachment within the post. ;)

Neil

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Friday 21 March 14 20:10 GMT (UK)

Thanks for explaining.  I'll try and get it scanned tomorrow and post it soon.

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Saturday 22 March 14 19:38 GMT (UK)

I am attaching part of the naval service record and hope someone may be able to help please.  I have attached he list of ships he served on.  I can't quite read the Badge column and also the Cause of Discharge column, also the final entry on the Character column.
Thanks for reading this far.

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Neil Todd on Saturday 22 March 14 23:05 GMT (UK)

Cannot understand first ship, but conduct throughout good/very good.
Ship 1 ??
2 Implaccable, 3 Severn, 4 Ocean, 5 Rattler, 6 Minotaur.

The final character seems as though "For Transfer" but there is a section which has GCB it looks like, at least not GCM which is General court martial. Started at age 19 which is scratched out and then looks like 14?

Another relook needed.

Neil

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Neil Todd on Saturday 22 March 14 23:10 GMT (UK)

The badges seem to be Able seaman 1 year 1864 2nd able seaman 2 1866 3rd Able seaman with a bar. Just his ratings.
Ist ship Invicticus? maybe :P

Neil ::) :-\

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: janan on Sunday 23 March 14 11:24 GMT (UK)

Ship 1 looks like Viadeus to me but I can't find a ship of that name :-\

Jan ;)

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: CarolA3 on Sunday 23 March 14 16:29 GMT (UK)

Try 'HMS Diadem' for the first ship.

Carol

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: janan on Sunday 23 March 14 16:36 GMT (UK)

Quote from: CarolA3 on Sunday 23 March 14 16:29 GMT (UK)

Try 'HMS Diadem' for the first ship.

Carol

Yes I think that's it - can see it now you've suggested it :)

Jan ;)

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: mrs.tenacious on Sunday 23 March 14 18:09 GMT (UK)

Hi Pam,

welcome to the wonderful Rootschat!  I've sent you a PM - simply click on 'My Messages'  near the top of the page  :)

Mrs. T. x

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Sunday 23 March 14 18:42 GMT (UK)

Hi Neil, Jan and Carol,
Thanks so much for your suggestions and your time.  I am most grateful.  A friend has suggested that GCB could be good conduct badge so that is another possibility.
Pam

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Einepyk on Sunday 23 March 14 19:44 GMT (UK)

The second ship could be the first HMS Implacable -  launched in 1795 as the French ship Duguay-Trouin and captured by the British in 1805. Renamed Implacable, she was scuttled in 1949.
Steve

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Sunday 23 March 14 19:45 GMT (UK)

Thanks very much for your suggestion.

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Einepyk on Sunday 23 March 14 19:49 GMT (UK)

... and the fourth ship is possibly HMS Ocean built in 1862...

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Einepyk on Sunday 23 March 14 19:51 GMT (UK)

...and, HMS Rattler, launched in 1862 and wrecked in 1868, is possibly the next boat on the list.

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Sunday 23 March 14 19:57 GMT (UK)

Thanks for your help.  I think his list of ships is Diadem, Implacable, Severn, Ocean, Rattler and Minotaur.   Fascinating that we have access to all this information.

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Neil Todd on Sunday 23 March 14 20:37 GMT (UK)

Well with a list of good/very good referances the friends suggestion of Good Conduct seems the most plausible, doesn't it ;)

Neil

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: chilblain23 on Monday 24 March 14 00:52 GMT (UK)

GCB would mean Good Conduct Badge.
from an "old" stoker.

Title: Re: Trying to decipher a Naval record for ancestor
Post by: Pam54 on Monday 24 March 14 18:31 GMT (UK)

Thanks very much to all of you for your help.