Birth at Sea

[Jenny Elizabeth]

Does anyone know how to obtain information on births at sea.  I should really say birth on board ship as I am not looking for a mermaid ancestor.  According to 'Ancestral Trails' the GRO holds marine registers which record births of British nationals on board shop from 1837-1930 (and up to 1965 for deaths).    Can these records be ordered in the same way as ordinary birth certificates.  Any advice gratefully accepted.

Jenny Elizabeth

[Frances]

Hi Jenny,
The Naional Archivist has started to put some records at sea online. It is a fee paying site but some records are free.
Good Luck, Frances

http://www.nationalarchivist.com/nationalArchives.cfm

[Jenny Elizabeth]

Thanks Frances

Jenny

[Kazza]

What I have found in the past when looking through ships list information is that births at sea are listed there.  If you know the name of the ship involved that would make it the easier route.

Kazza.

[Jenny Elizabeth]

Hello Kazza

Would you believe HMS Victory of Nelson fame. 

Jenny

[Kazza]

Ah,

That will be a different matter then,  I had assumed you meant a passenger ship.   

From the GRO site:

Overseas microfiche indexes
The GRO has now produced a complete set of overseas indexes available for sale on microfiche, comprising of the following:

Marine and air records
Marine births and deaths, 1837 – 1965
Air births and air deaths, 1947 - 1965

Prices:
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/research/obtainingcertificates/indexsales.asp

I think the price is a bit steep though,  but they exist,  so presumably you can view them.

As for getting a cert,  I think you apply for it in the usual way.

Kazza.

[Jenny Elizabeth]

Thanks Kazza.

Jenny