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[[image:Tallship.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Submitted by Guinevere]]
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[[image:Tallship.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Submitted by Guinevere]][[Category:General Reference]]
[[Category:General Reference]][[Category:Military and Maritime History]]
+
[[Category:Military and Maritime History]]
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
<br><br><br><br><br><br>
+
<br><br>
 +
'''Sailors'''
 +
 
 +
The term sailor is commonly used to describe any man who went to sea, whether in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, Coastguards, Lifeboat Service, fishing fleet or as a pilot, privateer or a single boatman. If a man went to sea he was a sailor.
 +
 
 +
'''Mariners'''
 +
 
 +
The term mariner can be synonymous with sailor but is more likely to mean that the man was concerned with the navigation of the vessel. Master mariners were those skilled in navigation. A Master Mariner would probably have a Mate or Master's ticket and be on the Seaman's Register at the National Archives. Mariners would come under the umbrella heading of the Merchant Navy.
 +
 
 +
The main source for tracing details of merchant seamen and shipping, especially from the 18th century onwards, are the archives of the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS). These records are held in a number of places. Some are with the RSS in Cardiff, some with the [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/index.php National Maritime Museum] at Greenwich and [http://www.nas.gov.uk/default.asp National Archives of Scotland and Ireland]. However, the majority are held in The National Archives in Kew. These records are broken down into categories and an explanation of how these can be viewed can be found on [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=257&j=1 The National Archives].
 +
 
 +
Organised service records do not commence until 1835 when The Merchant Shipping Act of that year required masters of all ships to file Agreements and Crew Lists with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.
 +
 
 +
For those researching mariner ancestors who are experiencing difficulty locating them on the England and Wales census, [http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKCensuses.html Seamen on British Censuses] contains a good explanation of the requirements regarding enumeration and may assist in helping you to locate those missing people!
 +
 
 +
The [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/memorials/Index.cfm National Maritime Museum ~ Maritime Memorials] is another good source of information for those researching this field.
 +
 
 +
'''Also see [[Military Research]]'''
 +
<br><br>
 +
==General Information==
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.2594 National Maritime Museum's Guide to Researching Family History from Maritime Records]
  
 
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk Researching the Mariners and Ships of the Merchant Marine and the World's Navies]
 
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk Researching the Mariners and Ships of the Merchant Marine and the World's Navies]
 +
 +
*[http://www.angelfire.com/de/BobSanders/Site.html Tracing British Seamen & their ships]
 +
 +
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html UK Mariners Site - All Things Nautical]
 +
 +
*[http://www.boat-links.com/index.html  John's Nautical and Boatbuilding Pages]
 +
 +
*[http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Nautica.html The Maritime History Virtual Archives]
  
 
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html Merchant Navy and Royal Navy Information]
 
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html Merchant Navy and Royal Navy Information]
  
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/london  Maritime London Discover The Past, Explore The Present]
+
 
 +
*[http://www.reach.net/~sc001198/Lloyds.htm Lloyds Register of Ships 1764-2003]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capintro.htm Index to Lloyds Captains' Register]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.eogen.com/CensusRecordsUK Vessels & Enumeration in Census Records]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.hotkey.net.au/~jwilliams4/mariner9.htm Index of Ships' Captains] Australia and New Zealand
 +
 
 +
*See also [[Emigration_and_Immigration|'''Emigration and Immigration''']] for Shipping Lists and more Maritime Resources.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*'''[[World War One]]'''
 +
 
 +
*'''[[World War Two]]'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_edition&id=15&Itemid=90 Family Tree Forum Online Magazine ~ Volume Two: April 2008] had a nautical theme.
 +
<br><br>
 +
 
 +
==The Royal Navy==
 +
 
 +
*'''[[The Royal Navy]]'''
 +
<br><br>
 +
==The Merchant Navy==
 +
 
 +
====Merchant Navy Records====
 +
 
 +
*'''[[Military_Research#Merchant_Navy_Research|Records of Merchant Seamen]]'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100p005004 How to trace Merchant Navy personnel]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.569 How to trace Merchant Mariners, mates and engineers who served in the Merchant Navy]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.crewlist.org.uk/Merchant seafarers on British registered ships between 1861 and 1913]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.irishmariners.ie/ Irish Merchant Seamen 1918-1921]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.merchant-mariners.co.uk/ The Federation Of Merchant Mariners]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.mightyseas.co.uk/Merchant sailing ships of the North West of England]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWI%20LOSSES%20INDEX.htm British Merchant Ship Losses in World War I]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/merchant_navy_losses.htm Merchant Navy Losses in World War 2]
 +
 
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
 
==Coastguards and Coastal Defences==
 
==Coastguards and Coastal Defences==
 +
 +
The Coastguard began as Customs Officers whose job was to apprehend smugglers trying to import goods without paying duty. As early as the 17th century there were small fleets of customs boats patrolling local waters in an effort to prevent smuggling.
 +
 +
A detailed history of HM Coastguard and Records can be found at the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=54 National Archives ~ Coastguard] and in County Record Offices.
  
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Majesty's_Coastguard HM Coastguard]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Majesty's_Coastguard HM Coastguard]
Line 33: Line 114:
  
 
*[http://www.newhavenfort.org.uk/history.htm Newhaven Fort]
 
*[http://www.newhavenfort.org.uk/history.htm Newhaven Fort]
 +
 +
*[http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/wynne/coastguard.htm Preventive Boat Service personnel 1816 - 1819]
  
 
*[http://www.btinternet.com/~palmiped/pillboxes/pillboxes.htm WW2 Coastal Defences Salthouse, Kelling & Weybourne, North Norfolk  ]
 
*[http://www.btinternet.com/~palmiped/pillboxes/pillboxes.htm WW2 Coastal Defences Salthouse, Kelling & Weybourne, North Norfolk  ]
Line 44: Line 127:
 
*[http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/forts.htm The Maunsell Sea Forts, Whitstable]
 
*[http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/forts.htm The Maunsell Sea Forts, Whitstable]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
 
==The Fishing Industry==
 
==The Fishing Industry==
 +
 +
Deep sea fishing was the most dangerous occupation of the 19th Century and is still high on the list today. Men signed on at a fixed rate per voyage or for a share of the catch.
 +
 +
The fishing fleet was part of the Merchant Navy. Coastal County Record Offices sometimes house extensive collections of information about the fishing fleets based in their ports.
 +
 +
Details of these may be found in [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ A2A - Access to Archives] or, more likely, on individual County Record Office websites.
  
 
*[http://www.hullwebs.co.uk/content/l-20c/conflict/ww1/trawlers/intro.htm Hull Trawler Losses of World War One]
 
*[http://www.hullwebs.co.uk/content/l-20c/conflict/ww1/trawlers/intro.htm Hull Trawler Losses of World War One]
Line 69: Line 159:
  
 
*[http://www.milfordtrawlers.org.uk/ Milford Haven Trawlers]
 
*[http://www.milfordtrawlers.org.uk/ Milford Haven Trawlers]
 +
 +
*[http://www.c-e-n.org/herringgirls.htm Herring Girls]
 +
 +
*[http://www.explorenorth.com/whalers/ The Whalers' Heritage Project]
 +
 +
 +
'''Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:'''
 +
 +
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=226&Itemid=90&ed=15 The call of the sea]
 +
 +
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=81 Herrings and vegetables]
 +
 +
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=81 William Christmas Capps and son]
 +
 +
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=215&Itemid=81 Toot]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
 
==Lifeboats==
 
==Lifeboats==
 +
 +
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity and lifeboats are manned by volunteers.
 +
 +
The RNLI grew out of the loose groups of salvagers which could be found in most ports.
 +
 +
When vessels were in trouble at sea salvers, often sailors or fishermen, would go to the rescue and claim salvage rights of the vessel and its cargo.
 +
 +
Many local branches of the RNLI have records of volunteers and rescues but do make a charge for searches. Some records can also be found in County Record Offices and local newspaper archives are another useful source.
  
 
*[http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/the_heritage_trust/grace_darling_museum Grace Darling Museum]  
 
*[http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/the_heritage_trust/grace_darling_museum Grace Darling Museum]  
Line 77: Line 191:
  
 
*[http://www.whitby-yorkshire.co.uk/lifeboat/lifeboats.htm A Site Dedicated to The Lifeboat Men of Whitby Who Lost Their Lives in 1861]
 
*[http://www.whitby-yorkshire.co.uk/lifeboat/lifeboats.htm A Site Dedicated to The Lifeboat Men of Whitby Who Lost Their Lives in 1861]
 +
 +
 +
'''Article from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:'''
 +
 +
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:the-john-mewse-mug&catid=35:august-2008 The John Mewse Mug]
  
  
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*[http://www.whitstablelifeboat.org.uk/ Whitstable]
 
*[http://www.whitstablelifeboat.org.uk/ Whitstable]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
==Lighthouses==
+
 
 +
==Trinity Pilots and Lighthouses==
 +
 
 +
All ports need sea pilots to guide vessels safely through local hazards and into harbour. Historically these used to be local men who knew the seas around their home ports. Pilots were also needed on large navigable rivers. Samuel Pepys had concerns about the quality of Port of London Pilots and was given permission to devise a test and the Pilots were brought under the aegis of Trinity House.
 +
 
 +
Trinity Pilots were licensed by the [http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConNarrative.64/chapterId/1414/Trinity-House.html Corporation of Trinity House]. When a Pilot applied to be licensed, he had to have British nationality, have several years' experience as a watch-keeping officer of a ship, hold a foreign-going Master Mariner's certificate (or Naval Certificate of Service) and be under 35 years of age.
 +
 
 +
Records are held at The Guildhall Library, although these suffered from fire in 1666 and 1714 and from bombing in 1940. Some court minutes survive from 1660, but the majority of other records in the series are only present from the 19th century. Staff employed at the Guildhall Library are unable to undertake personal searches. The functions of Trinity House, as well as surviving records and how to access them is explained on the website at [http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/thouse2.htm Guildhall Library Manuscipts Section - Trinity House Family History Sources].
 +
 
 +
Qualified pilots could claim a set fee so unofficial local pilots continued to thrive up until the 20th Century. In Lowestoft, for example, these men were know as Brumigen Pilots. Registers of Pilots can usually be found in County Record Offices.
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/people/pilotage/channelpilots.htm Bristol Channel Pilots]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.liverpoolpilots.com/ Liverpool Pilots]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=file&p=thames&f=thames.htm Thames Pilot]
  
 
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/ Lighthouse Personnel in England, Wales and The Channel Islands c. 1790-1911]
 
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/ Lighthouse Personnel in England, Wales and The Channel Islands c. 1790-1911]
Line 134: Line 268:
  
 
*[http://www.happisburgh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31 A Brief History of Happisburgh Lighthouse]
 
*[http://www.happisburgh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31 A Brief History of Happisburgh Lighthouse]
<br><br>
 
==The Royal Navy==
 
 
'''[[The Royal Navy]]'''
 
 
<br><br>
 
==Merchant Shipping==
 
 
'''[[Records of Merchant Seamen]]'''
 
 
 
*[http://www.merchant-mariners.co.uk/ The Federation Of Merchant Mariners]
 
 
*[http://www.mightyseas.co.uk/  Through Mighty Seas, Merchant sailing ships of the North West of England]
 
 
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWI%20LOSSES%20INDEX.htm British Merchant Ship Losses in World War I]
 
 
*[http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/merchant_navy_losses.htm Merchant Navy Losses in World War 2]
 
 
*[http://www.crewlist.org.uk/ The Crew List index project - Merchant seafarers on British registered ships between 1861 and 1913]
 
 
*[http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100p005004 How to trace Merchant Navy personnel]
 
 
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.569 How to trace Merchant Mariners, mates and engineers who served in the Merchant Navy]
 
 
*[http://www.irishmariners.ie/ Irish Merchant Seamen 1918-1921]
 
 
*[http://uboat.net/index.html The U-Boat War]
 
 
*[http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/ WW2 Crew Lists]
 
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
==Shipbuilding==
 
==Shipbuilding==
  
*[http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/Shipbuilding.html The Shipbuiliding Industry of North East England 1790-1899]
+
*[http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/Shipbuilding.html The Shipbuilding Industry of North East England 1790-1899]
  
 
*[http://www.berwickshipyard.com/ Berwick on Tweed Shipyard]
 
*[http://www.berwickshipyard.com/ Berwick on Tweed Shipyard]
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*[http://www.chdt.org.uk/Discover/The_Dockyards_History/History.html Chatham Dockyard]
 
*[http://www.chdt.org.uk/Discover/The_Dockyards_History/History.html Chatham Dockyard]
  
*[http://www.titanicinbelfast.com/welcome.aspx Titanic in Belfast~Harland & Wolff]
+
*[http://www.titanicinbelfast.com/welcome.aspx Titanic in Belfast ~ Harland & Wolff]
  
 
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~handwapprentices/ Harland and Wolff Apprentices]
 
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~handwapprentices/ Harland and Wolff Apprentices]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
 
==Shipping Companies==
 
==Shipping Companies==
 +
 +
*[http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/ The Ocean Liner Virtual Museum]
  
 
*[http://www.shawsavillships.co.uk/index.htm The White Star, Shaw Savill and Albion Lines]
 
*[http://www.shawsavillships.co.uk/index.htm The White Star, Shaw Savill and Albion Lines]
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*[http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/About-Us/ The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]
 
*[http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/About-Us/ The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]
 +
 +
*[http://www.biship.com/ British India Steam Navigation]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
 
==Shipwrecks==
 
==Shipwrecks==
 +
 +
*[http://www.titanicarchive.com/History.aspx The Titanic]
  
 
*[http://www.shipwrecksofscotland.com/ Great British Shipwrecks]
 
*[http://www.shipwrecksofscotland.com/ Great British Shipwrecks]
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*[http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/shipwrecks/ Early Australian Shipwrecks]
 
*[http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/shipwrecks/ Early Australian Shipwrecks]
 +
 +
 +
'''Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:'''
 +
 +
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=219&Itemid=90&ed=15 R.M.S. Titanic]
 +
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
 
==Smuggling==
 
==Smuggling==
  
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*[http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Smuggling/Smuggling.htm Smuggling in and around Burton Bradstock]
 
*[http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Smuggling/Smuggling.htm Smuggling in and around Burton Bradstock]
 +
 +
 +
'''Articles from the Family Tree Forum Online Magazine:'''
 +
 +
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=232:watch-the-wall-my-darling&catid=48:may-2009 Watch the wall my darling]
 +
 +
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=228:turncoat&catid=48:may-2009 Turncoat]
 +
 +
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=235:were-you-born-in-yapton&catid=48:may-2009 Were you born in Yapton?]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
 
==Ports and Harbours==
 
==Ports and Harbours==
 +
 +
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/london  Maritime London]
 +
 +
*[http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/alpha_lists/pierlist.htm Piers of England]
  
 
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/ Port Cities uk, Bristol, Hartlepool, Liverpool, London & Southampton]
 
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/ Port Cities uk, Bristol, Hartlepool, Liverpool, London & Southampton]
 
*[http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/people/pilotage/channelpilots.htm Bristol Channel Pilots]
 
  
 
*[http://www.brixhamsailingtrawlers.co.uk/ Brixham Heritage Sailing Trawlers Archive]
 
*[http://www.brixhamsailingtrawlers.co.uk/ Brixham Heritage Sailing Trawlers Archive]
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*[http://www.mersey-gateway.org/ The History of Maritime Liverpool]
 
*[http://www.mersey-gateway.org/ The History of Maritime Liverpool]
 
*[http://www.liverpoolpilots.com/ Liverpool Pilots]
 
  
 
*[http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/ Merseyside Maritime Museum]
 
*[http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/ Merseyside Maritime Museum]
Line 253: Line 381:
  
 
*[http://www.bargetrust.org/ The Thames Sailing Barge Trust]
 
*[http://www.bargetrust.org/ The Thames Sailing Barge Trust]
 
*[http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=file&p=thames&f=thames.htm Thames Pilot]
 
  
 
*[http://www.cardiffmariners.org.uk/ Cardiff Mariners]
 
*[http://www.cardiffmariners.org.uk/ Cardiff Mariners]
Line 264: Line 390:
 
*[http://www.swanseamariners.org.uk/ Swansea Mariners]
 
*[http://www.swanseamariners.org.uk/ Swansea Mariners]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
==General Links==
 
 
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.2594 National Maritime Museum's Guide to Researching Family History from Maritime Records]
 
 
*[http://www.reach.net/~sc001198/Lloyds.htm Lloyds Register of Ships 1764-2003]
 
 
*[http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capintro.htm Index to Lloyds Captains' Register]
 
 
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html UK Mariners Site- Links For All Things Nautical]
 
 
*[http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html Late 18th, 19th and early 20th Century Naval and Naval Social History]
 
 
*[http://www.boat-links.com/index.html  John's Nautical and Boatbuilding Pages]
 
 
*[http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Nautica.html The Maritime History Virtual Archives]
 
 
*[http://www.eogen.com/CensusRecordsUK Vessels & Enumeration in Census Records]
 
 
*[http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/ The Ocean Liner Virtual Museum]
 
 
*[http://www.titanicarchive.com/History.aspx The Titanic]
 
 
*[http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/bounty/crew.shtml Biographies of The Crew of The Bounty]
 
 
*[http://www.hotkey.net.au/~jwilliams4/mariner9.htm Index of Ships' Captains] Australia and New Zealand
 
 
*[http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/alpha_lists/pierlist.htm Piers of England]
 
 
*[http://www.adls.org.uk/ The Association of Dunkerque Little Ships]
 
  
 +
Back to [[:Category:Military and Maritime History|Military and Maritime History]]
  
 
Back to [[Main Page]]
 
Back to [[Main Page]]
  
 
Back to [[General History]]
 
Back to [[General History]]

Latest revision as of 09:25, 12 September 2022

Submitted by Guinevere



Sailors

The term sailor is commonly used to describe any man who went to sea, whether in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, Coastguards, Lifeboat Service, fishing fleet or as a pilot, privateer or a single boatman. If a man went to sea he was a sailor.

Mariners

The term mariner can be synonymous with sailor but is more likely to mean that the man was concerned with the navigation of the vessel. Master mariners were those skilled in navigation. A Master Mariner would probably have a Mate or Master's ticket and be on the Seaman's Register at the National Archives. Mariners would come under the umbrella heading of the Merchant Navy.

The main source for tracing details of merchant seamen and shipping, especially from the 18th century onwards, are the archives of the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS). These records are held in a number of places. Some are with the RSS in Cardiff, some with the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich and National Archives of Scotland and Ireland. However, the majority are held in The National Archives in Kew. These records are broken down into categories and an explanation of how these can be viewed can be found on The National Archives.

Organised service records do not commence until 1835 when The Merchant Shipping Act of that year required masters of all ships to file Agreements and Crew Lists with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.

For those researching mariner ancestors who are experiencing difficulty locating them on the England and Wales census, Seamen on British Censuses contains a good explanation of the requirements regarding enumeration and may assist in helping you to locate those missing people!

The National Maritime Museum ~ Maritime Memorials is another good source of information for those researching this field.

Also see Military Research

General Information






The Royal Navy



The Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy Records




Coastguards and Coastal Defences

The Coastguard began as Customs Officers whose job was to apprehend smugglers trying to import goods without paying duty. As early as the 17th century there were small fleets of customs boats patrolling local waters in an effort to prevent smuggling.

A detailed history of HM Coastguard and Records can be found at the National Archives ~ Coastguard and in County Record Offices.



The Fishing Industry

Deep sea fishing was the most dangerous occupation of the 19th Century and is still high on the list today. Men signed on at a fixed rate per voyage or for a share of the catch.

The fishing fleet was part of the Merchant Navy. Coastal County Record Offices sometimes house extensive collections of information about the fishing fleets based in their ports.

Details of these may be found in A2A - Access to Archives or, more likely, on individual County Record Office websites.


Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:



Lifeboats

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity and lifeboats are manned by volunteers.

The RNLI grew out of the loose groups of salvagers which could be found in most ports.

When vessels were in trouble at sea salvers, often sailors or fishermen, would go to the rescue and claim salvage rights of the vessel and its cargo.

Many local branches of the RNLI have records of volunteers and rescues but do make a charge for searches. Some records can also be found in County Record Offices and local newspaper archives are another useful source.


Article from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:


Many other Lifeboat stations have their own history sites, often with old Crew Lists and Photographs - these include:-



Trinity Pilots and Lighthouses

All ports need sea pilots to guide vessels safely through local hazards and into harbour. Historically these used to be local men who knew the seas around their home ports. Pilots were also needed on large navigable rivers. Samuel Pepys had concerns about the quality of Port of London Pilots and was given permission to devise a test and the Pilots were brought under the aegis of Trinity House.

Trinity Pilots were licensed by the Corporation of Trinity House. When a Pilot applied to be licensed, he had to have British nationality, have several years' experience as a watch-keeping officer of a ship, hold a foreign-going Master Mariner's certificate (or Naval Certificate of Service) and be under 35 years of age.

Records are held at The Guildhall Library, although these suffered from fire in 1666 and 1714 and from bombing in 1940. Some court minutes survive from 1660, but the majority of other records in the series are only present from the 19th century. Staff employed at the Guildhall Library are unable to undertake personal searches. The functions of Trinity House, as well as surviving records and how to access them is explained on the website at Guildhall Library Manuscipts Section - Trinity House Family History Sources.

Qualified pilots could claim a set fee so unofficial local pilots continued to thrive up until the 20th Century. In Lowestoft, for example, these men were know as Brumigen Pilots. Registers of Pilots can usually be found in County Record Offices.



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