Newport Merchant shipping records

[kimkitty]

Hi All,

Is it possible to find out any information regarding the Newport merchant shipping records.  My great, great grandfather was a ship's engineer and left Newport docks for long haul journeys during the early 1900's.

I know it is a bit of a long short, but maybe somebody knows of a least where I can start to look for this information.

Regards
Kim

[osprey]

http://www.welshmariners.org.uk/index.php

there may be something on here to help. If your man appears in the index, there's info on how to follow up.

[kimkitty]

Many thanks for link.  Unfortunately, he was not there.  However, he may of moved the family back to Newport (widow with young daughter), and continued to work out of Liverpool.

Anyway, it was a great link!!!

Kim
 

[jaycem]

Have you got his name as i do a lot of merchant navy search being ex navy myself 1954.I might even have sailed with the old sea dog.

[kimkitty]

Hi there

Many thanks for your offer of help.  I never have found any further information on his sea faring days since I posted my last request in 2008.

His name was George James Wilkins.  Born in Newport and was a ship's engineer, as we were led to beleive from my grandmother's stories.  He did travel far and wide, as always brought back exotic presents.  He left Liverpool in 1905 to definately move back to Newport.  I am afriad that is all I can tell you.  Most of his life was very secretive!!

Best wishes
Kim

[Papa1]

Try asking on this Mercantile Marine forum.
There's some pretty knowledgable guys on there who will give you as much help as possible.

http://www.mercantilemarine.org/index.php

[astley7]

I am also looking for Newport Merchant History and shipping records, Due to my family being Ship Captains, Master Mariners, Ship Owners and later Dock Masters in Newport. I have found looking through the newspapers a great help. If you give me details of family ect I may already have some information to hand.

Best wishes
Lisa

[kimkitty]

Hi Lisa

So sorry for the delay in replying.  Busy, busy home life in between this family search stuff.


If you are able to find anything out on your searches, then that would be great.  This gentleman's life took many twists and turns.

He was called George James Wilkins.  Born 12th March 1865 in Wales. 
In 1891 he lived with his wife and children in Bootle, Liverpool and worked as a ship's engineer.  His 1st wife died sometime in 1901.
In 1907 we find reports of him returning to Newport, Wales a widow with a small child from another woman.  No marriage can be found.
Two further marriages are found after that.
We know he continued to have links to the sea in Newport, as my grandmother remembers him being a ship's engineer while she was growing up.
He died in 1941 in Newport. 

That is about all I can give you.

Many, many thanks for offering to keep a look out for him on your travels.

Best wishes
Kim