Master Mariner

[Mistyweather]

I have an Alfred John Davies b 1857 Bristol. In the 1861 census he was living in Union St Liscard, with his mother Matilda and baby sister Ellen M. They are down as boarders at the home of a shipwright with Matilda stating she is Master Mariners wife.   How can I find out if indeed her husband John Henry Davies was at sea at this time and if so, the name of the boat/ship?

[Shep]

You can search the 1861 census by 'Ships & Overseas Establishments' on FindMyPast. Do you know John Henrys place and year of birth?

[Mistyweather]

Yes John Henry seems to become just plain Henry by 1881 and runs a pub nnr Bristol. Approx year of birth 1821, Mangotsfield, Nr Bristol.

What is FindMyPast please?

[Shep]

FindMyPast = Findmypast www.findmypast.co.uk

[GrahamSimons]

I have an Alfred John Davies b 1857 Bristol. In the 1861 census he was living in Union St Liscard, with his mother Matilda and baby sister Ellen M. They are down as boarders at the home of a shipwright with Matilda stating she is Master Mariners wife.   How can I find out if indeed her husband John Henry Davies was at sea at this time and if so, the name of the boat/ship?

There is a lot of info to be gleaned if you can get to the National Archives, see the guide here: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/officermerchantnavy.htm

There's an index at http://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/masters.php which covers a slightly later date range but which might help.

Another helpful site is http://www.maritimearchives.co.uk/sailors.html

[Mistyweather]

Thanks to you both for your replies. I am not getting very far but I am still looking when I have the time. Cheers

[elzabels]

Yes John Henry seems to become just plain Henry by 1881 and runs a pub nnr Bristol. Approx year of birth 1821, Mangotsfield, Nr Bristol.

What is FindMyPast please?

I am not  sure this is the same family as that in 1861 , Matilda was b 1837 Bristol, the 1881 matilda  b 1831!

Found this 1881 RG11 2450 43 35
43 Landston Street Bedminster
Alfred J DAVIS Leather Worker
wife Clara
Mother Matilda DAVIS 48 Widow b Bristol

Is it Alfred John DAVIES Leather Merchant you are following? or the Victualler's family?

[elzabels]

Maybe you need to get one of the following certificates from GRO.gov.uk to establish the father's name!

Birth Alfred John DAVIES Oct - Dec 1858 Bristol 6a 1

Alfred  J DAVIES = Clara Fanny ADAMS Bristol Oct - Dec 1880 Bristol 6a 67

Ellen Matilda  DAVIES 1860 Wirral 8a 414

[Mistyweather]

Hi Elzabels, I am sorry for taking so long to get back to you, I have been away for a fortnight and then rather busy for a while.

Yes you are right I seem to be getting confused thinking that they were one and the same couple, it is just that I thought that John Henry and Matilda were the same as Henry and Matilda later in life. Both seeming to have come from the Bristol area.

Yes it is the Alfred John leather merchant side that I am chasing and I already have his birth cert, stating that his father John Henry was a Master Mariner and mother was Matilda Floyd..

Thanks for your interest.