Genealogy Chat

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Does anyone know where I might find service records of an ancestor who was a Naval Officer - from approx 1838 - 1862. I have found references to him being an RN Engineer and then Inspector of Machinery Afloat. I have done a search on DocumentsonLine but nothing obvious comes up. I fear the only answer is to do a personal search at the National Archives, and if this is the case has anyone any suggestion of a good researcher that I could use. Many thanks, Elaine

Elaine, if you look on the National Archives site you'll see that you can search his name online and then download an image of his record immediately for £3.50. Good luck!

Paul - have already checked that -nothing there!

Elaine, Not an answer to your question I'm afraid, but some details about Engineers in the Royal Navy. Paul benyon has an excellent website with heaps of information about the Royal Navy in the 19th century. Included is the 1847 Navy List which gives details of the ' Rules and Regulations Respecting the Appointment, Rank, Examination, and Pay, of Engineers' (I hope the link works) http://www.pbenyon.plus*com/Navy_List_1849_Jun/Engineers_1847.html Pete

Thanks for that Pete - looks like an interesting site.

also found an Engineers Index link. You may get lucky here! http://www.pbenyon1.plus*com/Nbd/engineers/Index.html Pete

Thanks Pete, Had already got to that link through the website and found an entry which showed a date of promotion to Inspector of Machinery Afloat - but nothing new as I had already got this from the Times Digital Archives. Nevertheless a very interesting site. I really need something with his personal details - as I am trying to confirm the names of his parents.

Can anyone recommend a good Kew researcher ?

Elaine. I've pm'd you. :-) Keith

Merry, you're losing the plot. Look back three replies. ;-)

lol Paul!! I obviously don't always remember to read the repiles! Sometimes I start posting and go and cook a meal in the middle.....then come back and click ''add'' and then wonder where all those other messages came from???!!! lol Merry

Thanks Keith for the contact. Merry - it is because of the Times Digitial Archives that I have got so wrapped up in this guy - my 2xggfather. He obviously led a very interesting naval career, He faced a court case in Skegness- still looking for the details of this one - but presume he was aquitted as he continued to serve in the RN. I then find him in the Old Bailey where he was found guilty of fraud against the Admiralty and sentenced to 2 years hard labour. We have a short trip to the UK in November and was wondering if I could persuade OH to spend a day at Kew - but as I have never been before and would have absolutely no idea where to start, thought it might be easier and less painful to pay a researcher to do the lookup for me!