Byrnes of Arklow...don't know where to start!!

[ashlingb21]

Hi!

This belongs to my great Grandad James Byrne from Arklow. He was born 27/08/1898. He was in the Merchant Navy and I do have some info on him but just not sure where to find info on the attached pic! Just don't know where to start with it! Any help would be great! Thanks!

[Sinann]

The ship
http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/liverpool/HISTORIAN_400.html

And the Company
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Line
http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/harrison.shtml

When are you hoping to find about the card?

[ashlingb21]

Wow that's amazing! Thanks you so much!
Well I'm just trying to find out as much as I can about my family history (I am researching my dads side of the family). I am just interested to know more about his life and all the voyages/trips he went on over the years. I am doing the research to help my dad out as we don't know much about his life as my granny can't remember many of the details about where her father went over the years and it would be great to be able to tell her all of this!
Thanks!

[Sinann]

This gives some of his voyages.
http://www.irishmariners.ie/searchdatabase.php?srch_surname=Byrne&srch_forename=James&srch_identityno=316299&srch_yob=&submit=Search

[ashlingb21]

Wow you are amazing at this! You know so much about it all and where to look!
Thanks you so much....really appreciate this!

[Sinann]

Wow you are amazing at this! You know so much about it all and where to look!
Thanks you so much....really appreciate this!

To be honest I just googled Merchant Navy Records, the name of the ship and the name of the company, you just need to get lucky with the results

[seaweed]

It would seem that your man was in the British Merchant Navy until at least 1945. So where are his records after 1921?
His MN records 1921 until 1941 will have been transferred to his "Seamans Pouch" Unfortunately this seems to be lost or destroyed (Along with many more).
His MN records 1941 until he left or retired from the service should be at the National Archives in one of two files.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10988478

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10990379

Your best bet is to visit Kew or find a researcher to look for you.

You may be able to find his entire MN service via Crew Agreements but this can be a costly and time consuming procedure.

The record on Irish Mariners is available on FindMyPast includes a photograph.

[ashlingb21]

wow...thank you so much for that! I will have a look at those now!

[Joeyd13]

Hi
Realise it’s some time since you posted... I’m wondering if you know more about your g/grandfather now & if his parents were James Byrne & Bridget ‘Biddy’ Farrell? My late grandfather was Joseph/ Joe Byrne the youngest of said couple, born 1905 & the two men are so alike it’s uncanny. If I can work out how to post a pic successfully I can show you. My grandfather was also a Merchant seaman.
I only have an approx DoB for James Byrne Jr & that he married a Susan. I’m hoping you see this sometimes I would love to hear more & exchange a picture!