Naval service records

[Nick Carver]

I have a copy of the service record for a rellie who served in the 1840s/1850s, but have just uncovered another, who was born in the 1780s and was believed to have been in the navy also. Does anyone have a view on the likelihood of his service record being available, assuming he served round about 1800 or so? Any pointers most welcome.

Thanks

[liverpool annie]

Hi Nick!

This may be a place to start!!

http://www.ageofnelson.org/NavyList/index.html

Annie 

[Nick Carver]

Thanks Annie, that link is new to me. I'm afraid my humble ancestors were not of the officer class, so they don't appear on that site. I'm looking for a John Maltby from Yorkshire, who was listed as a leather dyer (deceased) on his daughter's marriage certificate. I've never been able to track him down, but I have just made contact with the descendants of another of his daughters and they have a reference of him having been a sailor. I may be clutching at straws here, but they are all I can clutch at at the moment.

[jorose]

If he was around in 1805, and might have been at the battle of Trafalgar, you could try here:

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

Otherwise if he's not on that database (can't see any Maltby) it's honestly quite hard, since the records that are available are basically organised by ship,  unless he's on the Certificates of Service (from 1802, would be there if he applied for a pension or a medal or anything like that).  Again, those are supposed to be indexed in the catalogue and I don't see him there, but you might know a different spelling could you try or something.

For people not in the Certificates of Service,  you have to know a ship name to search the musters etc.  I've done this before (brother of an ancestor who died at sea, lucky enough to have the ship name from his will - only member of the family at that time who even had a will).

What dates were his children born? Sometimes if you look at the original parish registers you'll find they list father's occupation (depends on date and location).  Possibly he was involved with boats but not in the navy? (fisherman, merchant navy, coastguard, smuggler!)

[Nick Carver]

Thanks for the tips. I have tried the Trafalgar site - seemed too good to be true to think I might find him there and it was. You are right about the alternative sailing occupations he may have had. Two of his children were born in York and I may be able to check the baptismal records. There may be more children to uncover as his wife (whose age appears on 1851 census) was over 30 when the elder of the two known children was born. I haven't found any older children in York, but I do not know where John Maltby was born. His wife was born in Thirsk but her maiden name is unknown. So I will try any possible line of enquiry. I am descended from one of the children but have just uncovered some descendants of the other child and perhaps they may have some snippets that could help. Many thanks for all the suggestions however.

[Will Marshall]

cheers for the site  info Annie you may have just inadvertently found a lost rellie through the site

cheers again

[liverpool annie]

Nick!

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKPages.htm#Other

 Maybe he wasn't in the Royal Navy!! - there's the Merchant Navy - the Coastguards etc - maybe this site will give you some ideas - might help you think outside the box! - plus of course you can always try for his records


Will - glad it helped!

Annie 

[Nick Carver]

Annie

As you know about such things, can I ask if I might expect to find details of my g grandfather? He was a sailmaker who regularly used to sail from Hull to San Francisco round Cape Horn in the late 19th Century? His name was William Carver and apparently he used to drink beer by the barrel, not by the pint, which might account for the abstemiousness of his sons.

[liverpool annie]

"abstemiousness " - what a great word!!

I have to leave for a while to go to a meeting - but I'll take a look around when I come back OK?

Sounds like an interesting man!!

Annie