Mariners' records at the National Archives (Kew)

[Roobarb]

Thank you again seaweed, I've checked on my council's website and I can actually access the newspapers online by entering my library card number!

 

[amazon510]

I thought it was odd that James should be aboard a ship that sailed to the West Indies after deep sea fishing off Newfoundland but he said it was quite possible as James would be around 60 at the time and may have taken any work he could get.

This was actually a pretty routine voyage back in the day - they'd go catch or buy fish in Newfoundland, then sell it in the Caribbean or Brazil.  Then it would be back to Newfoundland or the UK with a cargo of sugar or molasses, or other products from the West Indies.

http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/fish_trade.html

Jennifer.

[Roobarb]

Thank you jennifer, that's very interesting and a great benefit to my research. Thank you for the link too, it's good to read some background info 

[amazon510]

Glad to be of help!

[Roobarb]

Hi folks, I went to TNA this week so thought I'd update you.

I was able to look at the crew lists and ship's log for the Shannon, which also gave details of the effects of the deceased James Bell. Unfortunately this did not seem to bet the person I was looking for, it was a passenger aboard the ship, not crew. There was a list of his effects which included 4 crimson shirts, 8 pairs of stockings, 2 waistcoats and 2 capes. It was quite fascinating looking at the original documents nevertheless.

In BT114 I found a James Bell born in Exeter and thought this was probably my man. His ticket number was 557724 but unfortunately the records in BT113 only went as far as the 46 numbers. The licence number of the ship was shown in BT116 but it had been reregistered in 1878 and I couldn't find its original port of registry. The voyage details were illegible on the microfilm and I couldn't read them on a printout so was given permission to look at the original documents but it turned out they were stored offsite and would take three days to arrive so I wasn't able to look at them after all.

I then ran out of time so didn't get to look at BT153-155. It was very disappointing to have so little luck in finding James, he seems determined to remain elusive! I did enjoy my trip though, and TNA is a fascinating place. 

[Ringoroses]

I then ran out of time so didn't get to look at BT153-155

Frustrating isn't it? Sorry you didn't have much luck. But don't give up, he's out there - somewhere!

Best wishes
Ann

[Roobarb]

Thanks Ann, I won't give up, I'm still on my mission! I'd like to visit TNA again but I think I may pay another visit to the Devon Record Office next and see if I can find anything else there about his life. 

[TropiConsul]

Dugald Paterson (1848-1875) of Campbeltown, Argyllshire was the younger brother of Francis McCallum Paterson who was a hotel keeper and the son of John Paterson, a pensioned Mariner of the revenue cruiser Chichester. Dugald died, age 27, at sea aboard the SS Earnholm where he served as Chief Engineer. The 1871 census shows him living in Glasgow where he was employed as an “engine fitter”.

On Scotland's People, the Marine Register for 1875 shows that Dugald Paterson, Chief Engineer, age 27 died in an accident aboard the SS Earnholm. Where can I learn more about his death? I live in Texas and visiting the National Archives is not an option.

Black's guide to Ireland for 1902 shows "S.S. EARNHOLM leaves Leith every Monday, and Aberdeen every Tuesday, for Buckie, Lossiemouth, Cromarty, Invergordon, and Inverness: leaves Inverness every Thursday for Cromarty, Invergordon, Aberdeen, and Leith." I also found that the SS Earnholm sank off Invergordon in 1911 or 1912

[Roobarb]

'Fraid I don't know the answer to this one TropiConsul, you might have more luck if you post it on another board (Common Room or Occupation Interests perhaps?) where more people are likely to see it.