Shipkeeper Completed

[purplekat]

Hi

The 1864 marriage cert of my gg grandfather states that he is a mariner in the merchant service.  With the help of advice and a look up from rootchatters I have possibly found him in the 1861 census but the man in question is a shipkeeper.

I have two questions - what is a shipkeeper and would a merchant seaman be a shipkeeper.  He was 23 in 1861 census and on a ship called Lady Elma Bruce docked in Wales.

Jean 

[ainslie]

When ships were laid up in harbour they needed a caretaker - someone to ensure that intruders did not board, moorings secure etc.  Probably more than one per ship.
Experience as a seaman would be an advantage.

[purplekat]

Thank you ainslie, sorry but I have just thought of another question - do you have any idea if a shipkeeper have necessarily been a member of the crew who sailed with the ship?

Thanks again

Jean 

[ainslie]

I think that has to be a definite maybe - depending on the owners, their plans for the ship - was it to be sold, broken up for scrap, or just waiting for trade.

[purplekat]

Thanks ainslie I thought that may be the case  , still it helps to build a picture

Jean

[cazrich]

This could also be someone who worked for the shipyard whilst the ship was waiting for repair.  When looking for a relative I found a gentleman in the 1861 census who was listed as a Ship Keeper whilst I was really looking for a Ship Wright.

[purplekat]

Hi Cazarich

I know from my gg grandfather's marriage cert that his father was a shipwright.

I don't know if the man looking after the Lady Elma Bruce is my gg grandfather it's just that he has the same name, (which was not common), he was the right age and in the right area to have married my gg grandmother.  My gg grandfather is a very elusive man!

Thank you for your input and welcome to rootschat 

Jean 

[seaweed]

Could you give us his name and date and place of birth?
http://archive.org/stream/lloydsregisters05unkngoog#page/n266/mode/2up

[purplekat]

Hi all

I think it's possible I might be getting somewhere, this morning I read the lostcousins newsletter which said that new maritime BMD records had been added to findmypast and sure enough, (after years of searching), I have now found a likely death for my gg grandfather. 

His ship went missing in 1869, I still have investigating to do to establish if it definately is him - it's great to have some leads to go on after 7 years of looking. 

Thank you for your interest and offers of help

Jean