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Merchant Seamen???

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Sandra

Sandra Report 9 Apr 2006 23:51

Hiya, does anyone know how I can find merchant seaman records, my dad Alfred Bowler was a merchant seaman in either 1st world war and prob! the second world war too....how can I find out what ships he was a crew member of. Please, please can someone point me in the right direction for getting info online!!!!

Unknown

Unknown Report 9 Apr 2006 23:58

I think merchant seamen's records are at Kew. If you go to The National Archives website, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ click on the top menu bar on Research, Education & Exhibitions - you will get a drop down menu. Click on Research Guides and then the left hand option and you will find these leaflets online: Merchant Seamen: Abbreviations Found in the RGSS Registers Merchant Seamen: Interpreting the Voyages in the Registers of Seamen's Tickets and the Alphabetical Registers of Masters Merchant Seamen: Interpreting Voyage Details in the Registers of Officer's Services Merchant Seamen: Interpreting Voyage Details in the Registers of Seamen, Series II Merchant Seamen: Medals and Honours Merchant Seamen: Officers Service Records, 1845-1965 Merchant Seamen: Records of the RGSS, A Guide to Research Guides Merchant Seamen: Registers of Service, 1835-1857 Merchant Seamen: Sea Service Records, 1913-1972 Merchant Shipping: Crew Lists and Agreements After 1861 Merchant Shipping: Crew Lists and Agreements, 1747-1860 Merchant Shipping: Registration of Ships, 1786-1994 nell

Phoenix

Phoenix Report 10 Apr 2006 14:20

Use this address: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/searchresults.asp?fldResultMarker=21&fldSearchNumber=141637&SearchInit=1 and see what comes up. I searched the Catalogue for 'Bowler' in class BT There are a couple of possibles.

Phoenix

Phoenix Report 10 Apr 2006 14:22

Just reread your enquiry and I think you are out of luck. The records available online are for younger men. Sorry.

TeresainWirral

TeresainWirral Report 10 Apr 2006 15:01

Hi you could try this www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/archives/collections/records-of-merchant-seamen.asp I managed to get a copy of my Grandads (born 1899)seamens record and great grandfathers(born 1874)(this one with a photo as he was on the register for service in WW1) Its £7 for a search but they will search for 3 names with the same surname. Have a look and see if your ancestor is likely to be included. Teresa