Where to search for Master Mariner's records

[calmar]

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
 

[lizdb]

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!

[calmar]

Many thanks Liz.

Calmar
 

[Ecneps]

There was a similar posting yesterday, which might help

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


Barbara 

[calmar]

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
 

[keith110639]

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

[calmar]

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

[lizdb]

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!

[keith110639]

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