Genealogy Chat

Its probably already been asked but where could I look up crew members on ships? I've just been on Ancestry but had no joy. The person I am looking for was a Seaman in the merchant service working in 1855. He was living in Southampton. I have another ancestor also a seaman working around 1862.

Does anyone know if there are any records available online except Ancestry where I can look up crew members?

Thanks
Janet

Janet

This is a link to the NA guide to researching Merchant Seamen.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=257&j=1

Chris

Not online I dont think - the census would include any ships in port or British waters.

Thank you Chris. I think I did look on National archives a while ago. Will try again.

Heather, I had a look on 1881 census but could not find either individuals.

They are both being elusive.

Will have ago on Archives again and hope!

Just had a quick glance at Archives site and the only way to get to look at records is by visiting Kew.
Am I correct in this thinking? Is there any other way or anywhere closer to the Northwest of England which has these records?

Thanks Inis. I'll have a go.

I have just had a look and will go back to it shortly. I just wanted to say it explains exactly what I needed to know in laymans language. Archives is brilliant but there is an awful lot of information to take in, which is ok but I needed a simpler version for now.

Many thanks to all for your help.

The following is taken from TNA site:

Seamen / women 1858-1913:

The National Archives Catalogue

There was no central register of seamen. It may be possible to find something from crew lists or log books (BT 99), but TNA only have a 10% sample of those.


Research guides Merchant Shipping: Crew Lists and Agreements, 1747-1860

Merchant Seamen: Agreements and Crew Lists after 1861

The rest are with the:

Maritime History Archive
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's, Newfoundland
Canada, A1C 5S7


The above dates are for a lot of people, and yes you may be lucky to be one of the 10%. Unfortunately there is a chance that most people are going to be equally unlucky being in the rest of the 90% category researching their mariner ancestors who are NOT in the Navy.

Also found the following website below:

http://www.crewlist.org.uk/findingoncrewlists.html

Know the ship's name and official number?
If you do know the basic information about the seafarer's vessel, the next step is to track down the crew lists for that ship. The lists are held at many different places:

10% are at local record offices (ROs) or archives
10% are at the National Maritime Museum (NMM), Greenwich
10% are at The National Archives (TNA (formerly PRO), Kew
70% are at the Maritime History Archive (MHA) in Newfoundland

I cannot say I have found Greenwich useful for the ordinary ship/boat but is very good for major ships and battles.

Website below for Newfoundland Maritime Archives.

http://www.mun.ca/mha/index.php

Janet North London Borders

Thank you Janet for your help. I wonder if Chester have any records on this subject. I'll go have a search on their site.

Thanks again

I had a look and they don't. Oh well maybe one day I'll get to Kew!