master mariner

[Harpist]

Hi all,

I am trying to find more about John Barnett born about 1797 in Falmouth. He was a master mariner, a quarantine officer + officer of customs. He moved to Milford (Haven)  where he married strarted to raise a family. He eventually lived on The Wirral, Cheshire for the rest of his life.
Can anyone advise how to find out more in connection with his career particularly as a mariner.

Thank you,
Harpist.

[jorose]

From 1835 to 1857, there were some records kept of Merchant seamen, before that not much:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=127

[Harpist]

Thank you for the information, although I think that he was more likely to have been RN as he was part of the Customs service. However I'll take a look.

Harpist.

[cousinjack]

Hi Harpist
First, Customs Officers were not RN – a Master Mariner’s ticket was a merchant navy qualification. My own g. grandfather was described as a “Master Mariner and Customs Officer” on my grandmother’s marriage certificate. I haven’t fully researched his career yet, but I do know that the Customs Service operated a number of ships known as Revenue Cutters. There were also Excise ships, but Customs and Excise didn’t merge until 1909.
It was quite common for HM Customs to recruit officers, and then move them elsewhere. My g.g. joined at Fowey, and finished in Liverpool. Cornwall produced a lot of maritime people, and so often supplied other ports with personnel.
Kew hold career information on Customs Officers (CUST47 minute books on first and last postings, covering 1696-1874, and CUST39 has pension records and staff lists)
Cornwall Record Office hold some records of Cornish Customs Officers.
Records of Master Mariners can be found at Kew in BT115 (Masters and Mates) covering 1845-54, and there are other records and indexes there – a good place for more info is Debbie Beavis’ Mariners website at
http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKMasters.html
The London Cornish Society have compiled an index of Masters and Mates who qualified from Cornish addresses, and will research individuals for small fee. Details on the Cornwall FHS website.
Dr. Reg Davies is compiling an index to all Welsh Master Mariners, Mates and Engineers, and can be contacted at Regandpaddy[at]btinternet.com
Copies of Lloyds Captains Registers are available in various libraries and museums, and you may find something there.

Hope this helps

[Harpist]

Hi Cousinjack,

thank you for that information. I didn't realise that my John Barnett would have been in the Merchant service - maybe that will be easier to track down. I just feel that he is a very stubborn brick wall to try and knock down. It's good to have extra information to look into though.

Best wishes,
Harpist.