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Census Lookups General Lookups => Census and Resource Discussion => Library and FHS Lookups => Topic started by: paulsplace2009 on Friday 16 September 16 14:59 BST (UK)
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Hello
Not sure if this is the right place to post this....
I would like to look up a Merchant Seaman's records (3 x great grandfather), and i live to far from the national archives to get there, and the cost they charge for a look up is unreal, and i was just wondering if someone could maybe have a look for me the next time they are there?
I am not sure how easy it is, but just thought i would ask.
Many thanks in advance
Paul
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I looked up army records online for a gt gt uncle, I found his attestation papers and the Archives posted copies of them to me - cost £ 3.50.
If you would like to give his name on here maybe someone can come up with something for you.
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Hi Larkspur
Many thanks for your quick reply.
His name is Edward Maxwell Copeland/Copland
He was a seaman from about 1849 until his death by drowning in 1871
Regards
Paul
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Hi
If you can provide reference number(s), I can have a look in a couple of weeks
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I think i have found his inital seamans record on find my ppast, although the dates of birth from this records are slightly out from the 1871 census i ahve for him, but i think it may be the correct records... as it matches up with the dates he arrived in glasgow and married my 3 x great grandmother
the record ref is BT113/234
His ticket number is 467877
Many thanks
Paul
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That record gives him born in Downpatrick in 1833 and says he's resident there when unemployed.
Does that fit in with your chap?
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Hello
yes, this would most likeley tie up with my Edward, as he doesnt show up in Glasgow until 1852 when he marries my 3 x great grandmother, mary osbourne
Many thanks
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Looked at the National Archives, sadly as you say, the records are only available to view either there or at F M P.
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Hi Larkspur
Thats why i was hoping someone may be visiting the national archives soon :(
So fingers cossed one of the chatters may be heading soon.
On all his childrens borth and death certs it states that he is a merchant seaman, then on a poor law record for his orphan son, it states that edward drowned in october 1871, so i am hoping that there are more records for Edward at the naional archives, as there is no death registered for him in england or scotland.
Cheers
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How about this ??
The Clarrissa A brigg
The vessel is Lloyd's Register ('LR') listed from 1867/68 thru 1871/72. Was initially owned by J. Patterson of Arbroath for service from Sunderland to Cape of Good Hope ('CGH'), soon to CGH ex Swansea. In 1870/71, Cargill & Co., also of Arbroath, is LR listed as her owner for service from Dundee to the West Indies. The Mercantile Navy List of 1870, however, lists David Chapel of Arbroath as the then owner of the 245 ton vessel. 106.7 ft. long, signal letters HVTB. LR of 1871/72 states 'wrecked'. On Aug. 28, 1871, per line 1491 here, the 252 ton brig was stranded at Marstrand (W. coast of Sweden, N. of Gothenburg), while en route from Cronstadt (St. Petersburg, Russia) to London with a cargo of oats. Crew of 10 - 8 lost. Also a single passenger that was lost. Then owned by David Chapel.
The end of her story? Actually no. Clarissa, described as wrecked in 1871, must have been repaired & returned to service. The vessel, now 105.7 ft. long, is again recorded in Lloyd's Registers from 1876/77 thru 1889/90, owned thru 1886/87 by the Burt family of Shoreham, Sussex - initially G. Burt & from 1883/84 Mrs S. Burt. G. Burt is LR listed as her captain during that entire period & even beyond in fact. The Mercantile Navy List of 1880 lists George Burt of Southwick, Sussex, as her then owner. In 1886/87, A. Buckwell, also of Shoreham, became her owner, with, per LR, G. Burt still her captain. LR of 1889/90 states 'stranded'. It would seem that the vessel was stranded on Feb. 11, 1889.
http://46.32.255.219/pdf/1871/September-13/September-13-1871-02.pdf
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I think on FindMyPast that there's a death for an unknown Copeland at sea WCAF which I assume is the West Coast of Africa in Oct 71 with at least a couple of others on the same day
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Hi Stevie
That does sound interesting, as on the poor law record for his son does state that it was October he drowned....
Hopefully if someone can have a wee look the next time they are in the Nationla Archives, this might shed some light on Edwards career in the Merchant Navy
Cheers
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There was no official registration of merchant seaman between 1857 and 1913. The Merchant Navy began to register its seamen again in 1913, in the central indexed register, or Fourth Register of Seamen. However, the entries for 1913 to 1917 have not survived. Therefore neither TNA or any other institution have these types of records. Simply they do not exist, apart from some officers records but that's another story.
The only way of finding individual Merchant Seamen's records in this period is via Crew Agreements.
This can be a long, time consuming, frustrating and sometimes expensive exercise.
If we follow on from the references to the deaths of individual seamen contributed by Stevie Steve. There was a Mate with the surname Copeland lost by drowning on 26/10/1871 from the Steamer BIAFRA, official number 60847, which was owned by the African Steamship Co Ltd.
If this is your man. His death will be recorded in one the Logbooks and personal details of him, place of Birth, NOK, previous ship etc. in the vessels Crew Agreements for the relative date in 1871.
These are available at a fee,from MHA in Newfoundland.
https://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/viewcombinedcrews.php?Official_No=60847
You can then hopefully backtrack via the previous ships crew agreements till you have a total record of his sea service. Almost without exception British and Empire ships Crew Agreements are stored via the vessels official number.