"Mariner" research sites

[Goorikidz]

Can anyone help me with place or places to find out details of where a Master Mariner would have served and on what vessels in the 1826-1900.
Have grandfather, ggrandfather and gggrandfather all mariners or Master mariners.

Any help appreciated.

Janette

[EDO]

Good morning,

Were these ships in Australia or in the UK?

Also, what ports were involved?

The names of the ships and the names of your Master Mariner forebears could assist.

Regards

EDO

[Goorikidz]

Sorry for the lack of information.
These mariners and ship operated out of the UK.

The surname was Rayner.
George Rayner 1826
William Rayner 1840-1895
George William Rayner died on Steam Yacht "Lorera". in  1905
Harry Rayner 1882-1899 - grandfather left sea in Australia.  He went to sea with his father when aged 12 years.

These are the main Rayner family members who were mariners.  The George's and William were Master Mariners.

I had been told that there was somewhere I could access and get information on the years and and ships they worked on.

They lived in Wivenhoe which was where many of the Royal Yacht Squadron wintered as the River Colne lacked rocks and was safe to leave the yachts resting upright in the mud for the winter.

Janette

[casalguidi]

Hi Janette

I had been told that there was somewhere I could access and get information on the years and and ships they worked on

Service records for the Royal Navy are online but your family look to be Merchant Navy which is more complex to research.

Have you had a read of the "Merchant Navy" research leaflets http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/researchguidesindex.asp?j=1 from the National Archives

Casalguidi

[Goorikidz]

Hi

I have read some of records at the National Archives, but couldn't understand them.
I have found George & WIlliam Rayner listed in the Lloyds book of Master Mariners at the Sydney State Library.  But was unable to go further.
Have just looked at the site you suggested and hope to find some means of accessing records or getting some help from them.

Janette

[casalguidi]

Hi Janette

Ok, you could start with researching the master mariners.

I wonder if the research leaflet of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich would be more straightforward to follow http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.569

There are some records at the National Maritime Museum

1845–1927: All surviving Board of Trade office copies of certificates are held by the National Maritime Museum. Please write to the Research Enquiries Section if you wish to see a certificate or have it researched or copied. There is a charge for this service.

and a lot of others at the National Archives in Kew, London

Merchant Seamen: Officers' Service Records 1845-1965

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=131


I would hope that the information you have from Lloyds would point you in the right direction of where to go next.  What information do you have from Lloyds

Casalguidi

[seamike]

Hi Janette,

W. Rayner, in 1864-1872 Master of OSPRAY,
762 tons, built August 1860 by St. John, NB,
port of registry - Hull, Owners - H. Brings
Dimensions: 148' 28' 22'

Mike

[Goorikidz]

Mike

Thanks for that info re W. Rayner at least I have some info on ggrandfather.  On 1891 census he is still listed as a Master Mariner.

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Cas
Thanks for your info.  I don't mind paying for this info as I can't get it from here.  Will try your suggestions.

Janette