Genealogy Chat

If you are stuck and fed up with hunting through internet sites for your rellies try the National Archives in Kew Gardens. THey run a fantastic service and have many specialists available in all fields that you can talk to. We had ship's log in our family from 1758 and knew very little about it, After a visit to NA I now know that the man who wrote the log was definitely my ancestor, I know his name and that he joined the navy in 1758 at the beginning of the 7 years war. The NA had a matching pay book and muster book and Midshipman Hugh Munrow was listed there large as life! I was amazed at the obscurity of the documents they hold and the infinite level of detail that the archives hold. Well worth a day trip. I am going back to speak to a man who wrote a book about researching your naval relatives who was on leave when I was there. I want to find out who Hiugh's parents were and this has been my best lead so far.

Hi Thanks for this information. How do you actually get to access these specialists while you're at Kew? I've got a couple of difficult cases of people in the services and could do with some expert help. Am going to Kew in a week's time. Although I've found some info in original documents, the vital bit of evidence (date of death and whether Chelsea pension was paid subsequently to his wife) is one conundrum I've been struggling with and unable to find in original documents.. Thanks Barbara

I was lucky to notice a book in the bookstore about tracing naval ancestors and then saw that the author was an employee of the archives. I then asked the research assistant if I could speak to the author. Thye tried to call him for me but he was on holiday and so I am going back to try again but I imagine you could email or call them. They are there for the purpose of helping people like us!

Jennifer, Glad that you have found some info on your ancestor. I have no way of getting to kew as I live in sth aust unfortuately. I am after a seamen ancestor of mine. Although I have looked through their online navy records he is not there. Probably not the right time frame. Have you any suggestions for accessing info on my seamen? Is it worth emailing a query to the archives.? Thankyou Victoria

If it's Army records you're interested in, make a bee-line for William Spencer, who is often on the help desk. No one else will do - he's just SO knowledgable!

Thanks for the tip Jennifer. Another of my 'problems to solve' was in the Royal Navy, so I'll try and contact the relevant person next week while I'm there. Barbara

I'm sure they will try to help if you email them. I found them friendly and very eager to help - a real pleasure to deal with considering they must help hundreds of idiots like me without a clue as to where to start looking

Victoria - do you know the name of the ship/ships they sailed in? I tried a simple google search on the ship's name and found quite a bit. THe NA have pay books, ships logs, muster books, examination records and so much more. What years are you looking at?

Victoria You can pay for a search: http://www.ndad.nationalarchives(.)gov(.)uk/search/thesaurus/terms/list5.htm remove brackets

Thankyou Jennifer and Pauline, I am probably fighting a losing battle with my g grandfather Charles James BARRY born abt 1860 Islington London . He was in sth aust by 1888 when he married. I have no idea when he came over or on what ship. The only likely info I have .( This was gotten from the National Archives here in Adelaide Sth Aust) These are shipping crews being discharged at Pt Adelaide (sth aust ) where he lived and married. BARRY Charles D3/2 F408 designation A/B dis 26/10/1878 ship Hesperus BARRY Charles D3/3 F53 BR Steward dis 01/07/1887 ship Adelaide BARRY Charles D3/3 F54 Br Steward dis 24/09/1887 ship Adelaide '' '' D3/3 F67 2 FC steward dis 2607/1892 ship Albany BARRY Charles D3/3 F70 Steward 17/04/1894 ship Ouraka BARRY Charles B3/2 F409 A/B dis 30/10/1878 ship Gov Musgrove At the National archives Adelaide Sth Aust they said that they have no records relating to this only the above indexes. I don't know if anyone can shed any light on this for me. Thankyou Victoria

Hello Jennifer Do you know where Hugh Munrow was born ? His surname seems somewhat scottish ? Regards Jim