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Tracing Seafarers

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Josephine

Josephine Report 28 Jun 2009 01:41

Has anyone used the services of the maritime archive based in Newfoundland, Canada.

I am researching my ancestor who was a mariner - i cannot find a death record or any census information. I do not have any information at all on his merchant Navy career.

Can they research information on name and date of birth only?

Thanks

was plain ann now annielaurie

was plain ann now annielaurie Report 28 Jun 2009 16:16

When was he in the Merchant Navy approx and what was his name?

DaveatHove

DaveatHove Report 28 Jun 2009 16:47

I have used the MHA in Newfoundland but the records they hold are crew lists and these are accessed using the Official Number of a ship.

The best place to start if you do not have the name of a ship is the National Archives at Kew, hopefully to find his registration details. Their records are largely on microfilm and you need to visit to read them. The research guides on their website www.nationalarchives.gov.uk is a good place to find out more.

What era was he serving in the merchant navy? A lot depends on this as the records are spread about all over the place and there a large gaps with no records at all.

Researching:
Faulks (South Wales) plus Picken and Stewart in Scotland

Josephine

Josephine Report 28 Jun 2009 18:59

Thanks for your replies.

His name was William O'Brien
Born 1839 in Ireland
Married in Liverpool in 1864
His son was was born in Liverpool in 1866
His wife remarried in Liverpool in 1870

I'm looking for maritime records between 1849 and 1870, I'm making a presumption he may have died at sea.

I have just checked out the Maritime Archive info and yes you do need info on vessels which unfortunately I do not have.

Thanks for any further help you can give.

DaveatHove

DaveatHove Report 28 Jun 2009 20:38

I looked up deaths at sea in FindmyPast and there was a W O'Brien who died on 24/6/1867. This was on the Bolingbroke Official Number 47590.

I checked for the ship on the MHA site and they have the crew list plus a ships log for 1867.

It might be him or it might not. The problem is that it will cost $40 Canadian to find out.

Best of luck.

Researching:
Faulks (South Wales) plus Picken and Stewart in Scotland

DaveatHove

DaveatHove Report 28 Jun 2009 21:07

Checked the record again. It may 47598, but you could get the MHA staff to check it again. It is definitely the Bolingbroke.

Researching:
Faulks (South Wales) plus Picken and Stewart in Scotland

Josephine

Josephine Report 28 Jun 2009 22:30

Thank you very much for that info DaveatHove

I will further the research based on the info you have kindly given me.

Thank you

Jo