British Merchant Marines - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: William BANNISTER - Mates ticket/Merchant Service-Advice Needed

halpark — 2012-11-27 09:09:07Z

Debra,
Ancestry has recently included Mates and Masters tickets for UK and Ireland from 1850-1960(not sure of end date!) - just put the name in. Generally crew did not have families with them, but if the Captain did not I suppose he might have allowed the 1st (or only) Mate to do so - or is it possible your William owned a share in a boat which might have given him some privilege? Also, what exactly is meant by "exotic things"? Have any of them survived or is it a myth like "state rooms". Of course he could have done more than coasting but proof is needed. As before, as he came from Shields I would suggest you try Tyne and Wear - if they do not know they could probably point you in the right direction. It could also be worth googling "Deaths at sea" - if recorded there is a register.

Re: William BANNISTER - Mates ticket/Merchant Service-Advice Needed

Stargaz3r — 2012-11-27 02:25:38Z

Thank you, Halpark, for your kind reply. I'm guessing you must have access to check all masters tickets? I'm open to the idea of my William not having been a captain, but would it have been likely for a crewman to have his family sailing with him?

Apparently, Catherine had to wait some years for her husband, William, to be officially declared dead, so I'm not expecting to find that he was ever brought ashore for burial.

The "beautiful state rooms" was mentioned by a relative in a letter, relating his memories of Catherine to one of her descendants, so very well could have been elaborated. He did mention, though, that she brought back exotic things which, if true, would indicate William did more than just coasting.

Thank you so much again for this information. :)

Debra

Re: Merchant Navy Records

halpark — 2012-11-25 21:16:01Z

theshipslist is a website! Try ggogle.

Re: Merchant Navy Records

snellsj1 — 2012-11-25 09:42:40Z

Thanks - do they have a specific website ?

Re: Merchant Navy Records

halpark — 2012-11-24 13:11:09Z

Try theshipslist or the Register of Seamen and Shipping.

Merchant Navy Records

snellsj1 — 2012-11-22 14:11:09Z

I am trying to find the merchant navy records of a Henry Shorland - born 1903 in Lambeth, London

Re: William BANNISTER - Mates ticket/Merchant Service-Advice Needed

halpark — 2012-11-19 23:19:35Z

Debra, I have a feeling you may have to abandon some of the family stories. Firstly there is no entry for William Bannister having had a Master's ticket so he could not have been a Captain. The idea of "beautiful state rooms" when she sailed with him can only be a figment of Catherine's imagination. Even if the Captain of the Queen Mary took his wife with him they would just have had crew's quarters - obviously better than the ordinary seamen - but "state rooms"! They were were for the top fare-paying passengers. Accomodation on coasters was of the simplest order, simply because they were at sea for shorter periods and the ships, relatively speaking, were small. There are five deaths for William Bannister around the date you mention, one of them with birth approximately 1813 is registered at Risborough, Suffolk. If this is on the coast it could have been of someone brought ashore for burial. Shields was very important for the coasting trade from the NE area to London, especially for colliers, the Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping is said to have been named because one could see the enormous numbers of colliers from Whitby lined up to get into the Pool of London to unload. My guess would be that he was mate of one of these many coasters and things were embroidered a bit to make him sound more important. Could be wrong of course but the Tyne and Wear Archives have a lot of information on the ship-building, coasting and general sea-going antics for that area so could be worth a try. Good luck with your searches.

William BANNISTER - Mates ticket/Merchant Service-Advice Needed

Stargaz3r — 2012-10-14 19:19:20Z

My 3rd great grandfather, William C. BANNISTER (son of John BANNISTER, pensioner of the British Coastguard, and Mary HOCKIN) is said, in family records, to be born in 1818. He is also said to have been a captain and to have drowned at sea either about 1868, or when his son was 14 years old, about 1870.

A descendant of William's daughter, Dorothy, states that he remembers his grandmother telling him that, as a child (around the 1850s), she sailed with her father and the sailors rigged up a swing for her. An old letter to a descendant, from a relative who knew William and his wife, Catherine (nee YOUNGHUSBAND), says he recalls Catherine describing the beautiful state rooms she stayed in when sailing with her husband and that she visited exotic ports of call and brought back beautiful things. Because of this information, I don't feel I'm chasing some old family myth.

The 1841 census for South Shields, Durham shows William with his first wife, Jane (nee GOSS)and gives his birth about 1818 in South Shields, Durham and his occupation as mariner.

The 1851 census for South Shields, Durham shows William with his second wife, Catherine (nee YOUNGHUSBAND), and gives his birth abt. 1819 in South Shields, Durham, and his occupation as mariner.

The 1861 census for Hartlepool, Durham shows Catherine BANNISTER as head of household (with correct children) and, in the occupation column, states "mariner from home".

I have not been able to find a William BANNISTER in Lloyd's online. I have never been able to find any clue as to the name or type of vessel on which my William sailed.

I have, however, just found a Mates Certificate of Service to a William BANNISTER, No. 55.695. It states this William was born at South Shields in the County of Durham on 6 May 1815 and that he'd been employed in the capacities of App Mate 12 years in the British Merchant Service principally in the Coasting and foreign Trade. Issued at the port of Shields this 11 day of Feb 1853. Along the left side of the ticket, it reads: No. of Register ticket 107.934.

All details for the above Mates Ticket, save date of birth, are a good match for my William, as he was born in the same location, was living in the same location as of the 1851 census and is documented to have been a mariner. I am aware that, when it comes to mariners and military men, many claim to be older than they really are to get in early. I am aware there was a minimum age requirement for apprentices, so perhaps the birth year discrepancy alone isn't enough to discount this William as mine. I'm not seeing any William BANNISTERs born in 1815 South Shields, Durham, come up in the searches here at ancestry.

For anyone familiar with researching Merchant Marine records, how might I best use this Mates Ticket data to determine whether this William is really mine? Can I expect enough personal information about his family to have been recorded to even make such a determination?

Any advice to put me on the right track will be gratefully received. Thank you for your time.

Debra

Merchant seaman - Alexander SCOTT - born Scotland 1821(ish) father Peter

SO0274 — 2012-09-17 13:55:10Z

Does anyone know where or if there are any records of ships docking or companies using the port(s) Monkwearmouth and/or Southwick for the above year??

We are trying to trace a merchant seaman by the name of Alexander Scott, aged 40, widower, born in Scotland; he is in the 1861 census lodging with a Wilson family in Brougham Street, Southwick, Monkwearmouth. If anyone has any additional information reference this individual prior to 1861 it would be gratefully received as he is proving quit elusive! Many thanks

john DOYLE and james DOYLE in the merchant service

kaikourakids — 2012-08-13 23:26:14Z

I've received my grandfather's marriage certificate, giving him a DOB 1895 and a Quartermaster in the merchant service when he married Mary Bennett on 28/3/1921 in Birkenhead.however it doesn't give his place of birth.

His father's name is John Doyle (seaman in merchant service), and a witness was also John Doyle (Jnr). Could someone give me some clues on how to take this further, please?

Regards

Janet

Re: merchant navy crew records

BHorton46 — 2012-05-20 10:57:41Z

Hi, As a Military/Naval Historian I can tell you that most of the records will be at our National Archives at kew.

Regards,

Brian.

horton1805@hotmail.com

merchant navy crew records

pkbond_1 — 2012-04-20 10:42:28Z

My GG grandfather, Stanley Moore, was born in Liverpool in 1837. He came to Australia sometime in the late 1850's, early 1860's. By the time he married my GGGrandmother in 1866, he had changed his name. The story in the family says that he was part of a ships crew from England, and he jumped ship in Melbourne and stayed with some relatives there, before making his fortune in NSW. This could account for why he changed his name. I found him as a crew member in the Merchant Navy Crew records in 1856, returning from a voyage, but as these records only go to 1857 I cannot trace him further. I would love to be able to prove that he jumped ship, as I know many did at this time to join the australian gold rush. This would solve the mystery of why he changed his name. I cannot find him on any lists of ships deserters or government gazettes. Can anybody help??

Charles JOHNSON - Merchant Seaman

ElizabethKA51 — 2012-03-13 13:34:24Z

Hello,
I'm looking for a Charles Johnson, the only information I have is that he was in the Merchant Navy, and lived at 41 Giffin Street, Greenwich, London from 1947 - 1950. He may have lived there after 1950, but I only searched the Electoral Register for this time span.

As I don't have a date or place of birth, I'm finding him very difficult to trace. At present I'm checking through the National Archives Merchant Seaman Records, which is just guess work with no birth record.

Any help provided will be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Elizabeth

Re: William James BAKER b. 1925 , served in the merchant navy

wymerjo — 2012-02-16 13:17:10Z

Hi Amanda

Im not sure exactly of his date of death . He was my grandfather . I know he passed away in south africa but was living in Zimbabwe. Sorry i dont know alot about him. Have you found any details ?

Re: William James BAKER b. 1925 , served in the merchant navy

randaalford — 2012-02-04 12:24:34Z

Hi,
I am also researching a William J Baker b. DEC 1925. Would you know of any marriage details of his? Or place/ date of death? Anything might be helpful and greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Amanda.

William FLEMING in the Merchant Navy in WW2

tulipsfleming — 2011-11-07 14:17:33Z

I would like to find out what ships my Grandfather served on in WW2, or any information about his work. He returned after the war, but did not talk at all about his experience on the Arctic Convoys. I know that he was an engineer. He died in the late 1970s. I was not able to get any information from my Gran before she died. His name was William Fleming, born W Ham and died in Dundee. If anyone could help me out in any way i would be most grateful,

Katie

Board of Trade Certificates - John SPICER in Merchant Marines in the 1880's

loisrussell42 — 2011-09-15 13:41:23Z

I am looking for information about John Spicer who was in the Merchant Marines in the 1880's. He served on several ships such as Leuca, Viatka, Oceano.

Re: Register of Seamen index--John WATSON born 1761

JeffH01 — 2011-09-06 01:52:00Z

I’m sure they’re ships’ official numbers that are given British ships when first registered. As long as it remains British registered vessel the number never changes even if it’s name or owner changes.

I know the Crew List Indexing Project has an online database for obtaining a vessels number from it’s name but I don’t know of one going the other way; perhaps they do. You will find more details about ships numbers etc., on the Crew List guide page of CLIP at http://www.crewlist.org.uk/findingoncrewlists.html and there are links to other useful sites like the one below too.

The numbers can be found in Lloyds Register of Shipping; see the Southampton pages from the Port Cities Gateway at http://www.portcities.org.uk/ for more details.

Re: Register of Seamen index--John WATSON born 1761

mi2early — 2011-08-19 14:09:04Z

ADMIN NOTE:

Very few will have access to the file you referenced. It will be easier for someone to help you if you'll attach an image of the index.

Register of Seamen index--John WATSON born 1761

YvonneSilva4 — 2011-08-19 14:07:30Z

I found a record for John Watson in the index BT 119/24 for John Watson, my 3rd greatgrandfather, born 1761 and died in 1842 in Milford, Wales. There are about 16 columns with numbers underneath what looks like ports because there are such names as "Hull", "Banff", "london", etc. What do the numbers stand for and how do I find records from this information? The information came from a FHL film 1483313.
Thank you.

William James BAKER b. 1925 , served in the merchant navy

wymerjo — 2011-04-22 21:30:26Z

Hi , Im looking for any information on William James Baker and his brothers he was born born 25/12/25 He had 3 brothers Fredrick , Charles and Arthur and a daughter named Anne . He served in the merchant navy. Any information would be greatly appreciated

John McGOWAN in the Merchant Marines , d. Canary Islands 1920s

judylassiter57 — 2011-04-19 12:56:53Z

Looking for John McGowan in the Merchant Marines and dying in the Canary Islands in early 1920s.

Re: Thomas George HAMILTON, Merchant seaman, b.1916 in shankill ireland

JeffH01 — 2010-12-07 03:01:33Z

See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/m... for guidance, and note the reference to Southampton City Archives.

If he was entitled to and claimed and WWII medals you should find him listed in the database at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/navy.asp > Medals isued to Merchant Seamen, Second World War (BT 395)

Re: WW1 Merchant Marines

AnnRoots50 — 2010-11-22 08:21:43Z

Thank you for your reply.

Re: WW1 Merchant Marines

mi2early — 2010-11-19 15:25:12Z

Try http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

WW1 Merchant Marines

AnnRoots50 — 2010-11-19 15:23:40Z

Can anyone help me to clarify if there are any records for MM for WW1 as I am writing a book on the men from a parish in Scotland who served in WW1 I have access to army service records but am having a problem accessing records for the Navy or MM.
Any help would be great thank yu

HOLLAND and PERRY, Merchant Seamen

jaznjjj — 2010-08-01 16:13:08Z

Looking for information about
Robert HOLLAND born Shrewsburyin 1861,
George Donald PERRY born Isle of Wight 1858
George Richard Donald PERRY born in South Australia 1887

I have discharge information for Robert and George from Australian ships but have no information about their earlier seafaring. Robert and George ended up in South Australia - married and raised their families there.

George's son George Richard Donald PERRY moved to the U.K. and captained ships, perhaps based Isle of Wight or Portsmouth. G.R.D. Perry's son or grandson Ray Perry (wife Olive) was at 142 Talbot Street, Southsea, Hants in 1988. I have a very old address for Capt.GRD Perry 51 Teddington Road, Southsea Hants but that could go back to 1920s or 1930s (pre coronation QE2 based on stamp on envelope).

I know this board is not very active so I will post the information on a general board as well. Any information about the family in England or Australia very welcome.
Jaz

Thomas George HAMILTON, Merchant seaman, b.1916 in shankill ireland

leyh071 — 2010-06-18 20:17:09Z

I have someone in my tree and i have found nothing on the following person, if anyone can help i would be grateful: Thomas George hamilton B: 27/29 April 1916 in shankill ireland he was a serving Merchant seaman. He lived in Plymouth devon England where he died sometime in the 80s. he married Doris May Balch in 50s i believe in Plymouth devon and they lived in stonehouse east, Plymouth. Im so stuck i need someone clever to help!! :)

war deserters - 2nd world war - merchant Seamen - England

tbedrock — 2010-06-14 14:46:30Z

Does anyone know if there is a list of people from the UK who deserted the war?

Re: Information on the M.V. Silver Sandal

KKWIESNER — 2010-01-21 17:11:54Z

THIS IS MY GRANDFATHERS CASE, IF YOU CAN PLEASE WRITE ME AT KELLEYWIESNER@JACKSONJACKSON.COM, WE CAN TELL YOU THE STORY BEHIND IT!

MV "Silver Sandal"

2010-01-20 20:35:31Z

I don't have any further info on this ship and would very much like to hear of anything else you may find regarding this ship's activoties, particularly after the war.
I have a silver presentation cigarette case made in London by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. Ltd. The presentation reads:
"Presented By His Majesty's Government In The United Kingdom To Leo Ira Thompson Of The United States Coast Guard In Recognition Of His Services In Assisting To Take An Injured Seaman Off The British MV "Silver Sandal" On The 7th April 1948.
Do your Father's diaries cover this period and event?

Re: MV Silver Sandal

KKWIESNER — 2010-01-20 16:19:07Z

MY GRANDFATHER WAS LEO IRA THOMPSON AND HE DID WORK FOR THE COAST GUARD. I'M JUST INTERESTED TO SEE IF THIS IS THE SAME MAN. I HAVE ALOT OF HIS STORIES AND SOME OF HIS PICS FROM THE WAR IN COAST GUARD.

Re: How to get info on British Merchant Marines

mi2early — 2009-12-27 18:29:51Z

Here's a good place to start:

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/MerchantMarine.html

How to get info on Brittish Merchant Marines

esjmcban — 2009-12-27 02:34:26Z

I have some release papers for my great grandfather, John Orr who was from Ayrshire, Scotland. They show he was on the ships Clydesdale and Bismarck in the Merchant Marines. I was wondering if anyone had an address where I could get more info about my grandfather and what he did where he went etc. for the Brittish Merchant Marines.

william ROBINETT a merchant marine captain

wjrobin355 — 2009-10-25 13:54:57Z

he was a merchant marine captain that lived in co. cork circa 1807

intrested in all Robnett, Robinett in the british navy

Merchant Seaman Richard Thomas BLACKMORE

lett29 — 2009-10-18 16:52:08Z

I am trying to find info on my great great grandfather Richard Thomas Blackmore who was a Merchant Seaman. He was born in Plymouth UK in 1852. Also does anyone know where I can find Royal Marine Pension Records. I have an 1872 Marriage Cert stating that John Blackmore (deceased) was a Royal Marine Pensioner. He was B Somerset 1797
Jeanette

Re: Merchant seamen - census records

mccabea1 — 2009-06-12 14:49:14Z

Hi Mike,
Sorry but no connection I'm afraid. My merchant seaman was Peter McCabe. He also had a son John but he was not in the Merchant Morine and was born in Liverpool.

Good luck with your search.

Andrew

Re: Merchant seamen - census records

foggyman — 2009-06-12 14:48:51Z

Hi,
I have two McBay/Bey merchant seamen missing between 1861/71.Thomas b.1811 and John b.1835c in Kincardineshire,(father and son).Both there wives are widows in 1871 census Co.Durham.
Do you recognise these names,if so we could be related.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Mike

Re: Merchant seamen - census records

foggyman — 2009-06-11 15:04:35Z

Hi,
Thanks for coming back to me,I will keep searching.
Mike

Thomas Courts Death?

vmatsid — 2009-02-14 09:23:57Z

I have hit a brickwall trying to find the death of my GGGrandfather Thomas Courts who lm told died on the 25th May 1847,lve tried the Bmds indexes and applied for death certificates only to have the Gro tell me they cannot supply them as the date was wrong they have also checked Deaths at Sea as he was a Master Mariner without success,so lm at a loss where to try next or should l try through his Merchant Seamans records at the National Archives if l can find them, having worked there for many years l know how complicated it can be,The only info l have on him is his marriage to Sarah Huckell in 1837 at St.Botolph without Aldgate,and possibly as Master of a Brig "Glenalvon" in 1843 other than that lve nothing except he had 5 children Any help would most appreciated. regards Val.

Merchant seamen - census records

mccabea1 — 2009-01-23 18:42:50Z

I'm trying to trace a relative who was a merchant seaman. He appears in the Scottish 1861 census at the family home, but is missing from the 1871 census. I have not traced his death. If he were alive, and at sea at the time of the 1871 census, would this be recorded anywhere ?

Related to this, in the 1871 census, his wife is shown as "head" of the household. Does this mean she is widowed, or is it just the fact that the husband is not resident on the day of the census ?

Andrew

Re: How can I find out Merchant Seaman records

mi2early — 2008-10-22 13:59:54Z

This page from the website of RootsWeb's Mariners mailing list may help: http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UK20thCSeamen.html

Also see The National Archives site, including http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/royal-nav...

How can I find out Merchant Seaman records

clekarn1 — 2008-10-21 11:15:03Z

In WW2 I had an uncle from Wales in the Merchant Navy as a steward .His name was William Lewis He was thought to have died during the war .Rumour now has it that he was on a German Ship prior WW2 . When War broke out he had jumped ship in New Zealand .
I dont live in Britain so is there any way I can find out what happened to him ?

Thank you

Re: merchant seaman - National archives search help.. PLease!!

lturner801 — 2008-09-07 11:00:59Z

Hi Alan,

Thanks, but recently a very kind person went to the national archives and looked for my merchant seaman and found a copy of his ticket register which he very kindly passed on, although the information on it has confused me more than i was before, go figure!!

Thanks for responding though, much appreciated

Regards
Lee

Re: merchant seaman - National archives search help.. PLease!!

alanaziz — 2008-09-07 10:22:37Z

Hi

I have a lot of Merchant seamen in my family tree. I don't think you can get a lot of information on the national archives website, you need to visit them. I am going to visit in December to do some research. I will let you know how I get on. I have also just sent for a publication "My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman" from the Society of Genealogists which is suppose to be a very good aid, again I will let you know if it's any good

Regards

Alan

Peter Edward GREY a Merchant Marine during WW2

roxbyrhodes — 2008-09-05 22:38:33Z

My father was born in Crayford, Kent, England on
15 Feb 1927. I am believe that he may not have used the correct date of birth it could be a couple of years earlier.
Can anyone help me find out more about his military services as a Merchant Marine during WW2.

Also how and when he arrived in Australia.

I have tried the National Archive but am not able to navigate my way around the site well.

Thank you looking forward to your replies

Merchant Navy look up help please - George ROSE

duster1234 — 2008-07-31 14:53:47Z

Hello was wondering if someone can help me find information on my grandad George Rose born1877 in Glasgow was in the merchant marine
Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thank you

merchant seaman - National archives search help.. PLease!!

lturner801 — 2008-05-26 04:37:25Z

Can anyone please help me with this??

My 3x great grandfather James Turner (b 1822, Kensington, middlesex) was a merchant seaman and have been trying to see if they have his service records on on the National Archives website but i'm having difficulty as it is very confusing and i'm getting nowhere.

Can some help with this please? Would be greatly appreciated.

His Register Ticket Number is 327425.

Kind Regards
Lee

The National Archives lookup request: MARCHANT or DENLEY in Register of Seamen

beechwood01 — 2008-05-11 23:57:58Z

Requesting lookup at the National Archives in the BT349,
Register of Seamen, Central Index, Alphabetical Series (CR 1 cards) 1921-1941, for a John Charles Marchant also known as John Charles Denley also known as Joe Marchant. The only information i have is that he was born Abt 1898 in England. He was in South Africa in 1938/39. He jumped ship (merchant Navy)and therefore used the various names. I can find no birth record of this man. He disappeared in late 1939 never to be heard of again. Any help will be appreciated with this search.
Thanks Lesley

Re: Merchant Marine census, death etc.

rebecca11348 — 2008-05-05 07:27:00Z

Hi Robin,

It's nice to hear from someone connected to John Snowling. I have been researching the Snowling family tree for about ten years now, and still as yet am trying to find a link between this gentleman and my family. I too sent for his wedding certificate which gave his fathers name as Albert Snowling (mariner). However, I have been unable to find a birth date for him. I have looked in the BMD, but the only John Snowling near the date is another relative of mine who died a few months after birth (in 1865 in Mutford). I have also looked in the Great Yarmouth parish registers, but without luck. As a final resort I did also look at the births at sea, but this didn't turn up anything either. John Snowling was indeed the young boy whom you found in the 1881 census in the boys home in Great Yarmouth though. The Norfolk records office has no details on this establishment, but apparently these places could open up business quite easily. I have quite an extensive tree of the Snowling's and have also looked for Albert Snowling. The only one I have was born in 1852 in Yarmouth (he was a seaman), which would make him 13 when John was born! Not impossible I suppose, but probably unlikely. Sorry that I don't seem to have been of much help to your research, but I do have a few other details on his family (ie his children and wife) and there are some details on some of his childrens careers at Kew. If I can be of any further help then please do not hesitate to ask.
Best wishes

Rebecca