Master Mariner

[jaypee]

I am researching William Richardson, Mariner until 1861 census then Master Mariner on 1871 census. He died before 1881.

He was born in Loftus, Yorkshire, about 1828, and may have been in Whitby in 1851. He was in Liverpool when he married in 1864 and then in Sunderland County Durham until his death.

I have found a website that fits his birth which states that in 1851 he was in Whitby age 23, and also states that he received his Master Mariners certificate in Sunderland in 1866. The Certificate number is C6595. Can anyone help me find more information please

[seaweed]

Assuming he was certificated for foreign trade. Your best bet is to visit London Metropolitan Archives and view his entries in Lloyd's Captains Register.
http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capreg.htm
Note these records are now at LMA not Guildhall Library
 Once you have the information on which ships he sailed on you can then search crew lists and logbooks together with Lloyd's List.
You can obtain his Certificate of competency by first filling out the form in the link.
http://www.rmg.co.uk/researchers/library/masters-certificates-request-form

A copy should also be at TNA Kew on Microfilm.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=344166&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5

There are also seamans records, as opposed to Masters records, up to1857 for RICHARDSON William 1828  Loftus Yorkshire, at Find My Past. These records are also at TNA Kew for free.

[Gaie]

Hi

Merchant Navy Seamen's records (handwritten bits in italics)

No. of Ticket: 87070
William Richardson
Born Loftus in the county of York, 20th August 1828
Capacity: Apprentice
Height: 5'8"
Hair: Dk Brown
Complexion: Dark
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Marks: None
First went to sea as: Apprentice in the year 1843
Has served in Navy: No
Has served in Foreign Service: No
When unemployed, resides at: Whitby
Issued at: Stockton, 20th Decr 1844

Aged when ticketed: 16
Can write: Yes

There are then lots of little numbers in columns for the years 1844-1848.

If it would help I can cut and paste those bits.

KR
Gaie

[jaypee]

Thank you so much, Seaweed and Gaie. This seems to be my William Richardson. I will take up all the links suggested.

Seaweed, I can visit my local library where I can access Find My Past and I will also apply for a copy of his certificate.

Gaie, I'm not sure what the numbers in columns mean. If you think they will help me I would be grateful if you would cut and paste them please.

How do you guys do it? I've spent a few hours today looking for information and found nothing really useful!

Thank you again

[Gaie]

Ok, let's have a go at posting the numbers!

[jaypee]

Thank you so much Gaie and Seaweed.  I have now succeeded in tracing 10 pages of William's master mariners certificate. Any advice about the best format to recieve them in. As one of the offers is A3 sheets by post I wonder if that is the size of the original copies?