JAMES HANNAN - Merchant Navy

[The Longfellow]

I've just been told that a relative of mine, James Hannan of Coatbridge, "disappeared" for 30 years. Apparently he joined the merchant navy, served during both world wars and was torpedoed about 6 times.  Any hints as to the best way to investigate this story?

[mosstrooper]

Hello James,
I lost my uncle John Reynolds in the second world war, he too served in the Merchant navy aboard a ship called the Socony. I have a full report of events leading up to his death including an extract from the Ships Log Book, a list of all his possessions, place of death (Atlantic Ocean) and last known address in Scotland.

If your James died in service you can obtain an extract of his Death Certificate from The Marine Register Book held in The General Register Office in Edinburgh. These deaths are not listed in the normal searchable Births Deaths & Marriages, only in the Marine Register Book, they will tell you if any other pages are available such as the Ships Log Book I was able to obtain. The fact his Death was not listed in normal BDM records threw me for years until I discovered they are treated separately.

Its a while since I looked but a good source of information is Warsailors.com which is searchable for Merchant Navy Personnel and Ships.

Good Luck
James Kerr.

[The Longfellow]

Thanks for the pointers, Mosstrooper.  You've given me some interesting links there.  I think James was born in Old Monkland in 1884.  His parents were James and Letitia (ms Sturgeon) Hannan.  He is listed as James Hannen (7) in the 1891census at Coatbridge.  By 1901 I have lost him.  There is a 62-year-old James Hannan who died in Dingwall in 1946.  I wonder if that's him ...

[seaweed]

I found no record of this man having MN service in both WW1 or WW2. No medal listing, no service records for WW2 etc. I also searched Crew Agreements for 1915. Again nothing.
https://1915crewlists.rmg.co.uk/
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/merchant-seamen-serving-since-1918/
Suggest you take a look at the pay to view site Find My Past to see if he has Merchant Navy service 1918-1941
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/britain-merchant-seamen-1918-1941

You can also look to see if he died at sea between the dates you have lost him.
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-deaths-and-burials

[The Longfellow]

Thanks for your input, Seaweed. I have to say I've drawn a blank with my searches so far. I'm beginning to wonder if somebody in the family has been stretching the truth a bit.  Still, if at first you don't succeed ...

[Forfarian]

I think James was born in Old Monkland in 1884.  His parents were James and Letitia (ms Sturgeon) Hannan.  He is listed as James Hannen (7) in the 1891census at Coatbridge.  By 1901 I have lost him.  There is a 62-year-old James Hannan who died in Dingwall in 1946.  I wonder if that's him ...

You don't need to wonder for long - go to www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk, invest in a few credits at modest cost, and use some of them to download a copy of that death certificate, which should tell you the names of his parents including his mother's maiden surname, and of any wife or wives he may have married.

[sancti]

Possible death for his mother 1899 and father 1929 in Coatbridge

Have you viewed the death records to see who was the informant?

[The Longfellow]

Thanks to Forfarian and to Sancti for their help.  The two death records belonged to James's parents.  His mother's death was notified by James Hannan (widower) - James's father.  The father's death was notified by Sarah Kerr (daughter) - James's younger sister ... my granny!  Unfortunately, the death record in Dingwall was of someone else.  Back to the drawing board.

[Forfarian]

Could he have joined the navy under an assumed name?