Genealogy Chat

Hi, I have a relation whose occupation was given as a Mariner in 1879, I realise this is some of seaman, but does anyone have a clue if this would be an 'ocean going' sort of seaman, or a 'river' seaman. He came from around Stepney/Bethnal Green. Have looked on Dockland Ancestor website, no joy there. Carol

Hi Carol I've got the same thing with my Mason family in the same area. I have a 'Master Mariner', but I do know that I have a lot of watermen/lightermen too. Sorry to be of no help, but I will watch the thread with interest. Dawn

A Mariner was normally sea going - quite often you can see the transcriber back at the office writes 'Sea' next to the job when he is collating the different industries. On the river you would find watermen and lightermen/bargemen. Though there were sailing barges too, my GGF used to sail one round the coast. A Master Mariner would have had to serve an apprenticeship, so you are more likely to find info about him. Have a look at the Maritime Museum site - its very interesting. You can visit it in Greenwich if you want to look up info.

Does he appear in the Seamen's Register on Documents Online? Christine

thanks for all that everyone, have not inherited sea legs from that particular relation!!. will maybe go to greenwich maritime museum at some point I think.coincidentaly that is my birth place! and I now live at the seaside near a harbour! Christine, what is the Seamans register, do you know if you can search for a name online? not heard of that at all. ship ahoy and anchors away! Carol

You can get docs on line at the National Archive for men in the Royal Navy. It is only £3.50 to download. I got my Great Uncle off there recently. Not a great deal of info, but physical description, which is really nice and his dob and pob and ship and occupation. My guy had been in cells for 5 days aswell!

This is the link: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/ Christine

many thanks to you all, found yet ANOTHER William here, thats 3 now who looks to have been born 5 years before the wedding, it went on as well then obviously, this one is a cousin to the line I'm looking for, but extremely interesting, mine run aground at one point. really gives you an insight into their lives doesn't it? have the army, navy and airforce covered now, what next?

He's not on a boat/ship on any census, is he?? You can find out a lot about vessels from the Description of Enumeration District page, if he is.......... Merry

I got this via google; Master Mariner is the official title of someone qualified to command a ship; ie. captain.

But it might be a small ship - i have a master mariner in port in 1861. His crew consists of mate, 1 able-bodied seaman and 1 ordinary seaman. Jay

Hi, I found some info on my seagoing relation thanks to some help from all you guys, many thanks, next question: his department records are under admiralty, naval forces, royal marines and coastguards, and under his entry on his first shipt there are the words 'boy , then looks like 'Rd', and on his second ship 'BIC' any ideas anyone? does anyone know what under wounds, scars and marks 'ILAL' on left arm could possibly mean?

A Mariner was a merchant seaman, as opposed to a Sailor, who was RN. Take a look at - www.british-genealogy.com/mailman/listinfo/gen-mariners www.mariners-l.co.uk. CB >|<

I have been trawling the parish register for Shadwell in the London docks in the late C17 and have come across numerous mariners. They might well be sea-going but they could also be coastal or local in their range since the terms and status of 'lighterman' and 'waterman' were jealously guarded and protected by a formal apprentice system. 'Mariner' then might well be the generic term for any commercial sailor.

I'm not sure if this will help but there was a Sailors Institute set up in Shadwell in 1855. Sheila

As an example Simon Gunn from Salcombe, Devon was married in Shadwell in 1875 and he was a Master Mariner - ie a ships master qualified to command a merchant ship. Size of ship was irrelevant. :-) Keith

Sorry to muscle in on this thread, but it is related. I have Nicholas Earle, Mariner on dau. Susannah's m.cert, she was b. Totnes, Devon. Her sister Mary (kindly found by board members in another thread) was b. abt 1845 in Pater, Wales (1851 Census). Pater is the old name for Pembroke Dock, a Royal Naval Dockyard. In 1851 the family lived at East Stonehouse, Devon, presumably near to another RN Dockyard? His wife Jane was b. abt 1820 Totnes. I haven't found Nicholas himself on any census - does anyone have any idea where I can go from here? (I'm awaiting m.cert of Nicholas and Jane from GRO). Many thanks in advance, Pam

East Stonehouse was part of Devonport Dockyard. was Nicholas on the 1851 census for Wales? Keith

I'm sure I've already looked, but will look again to make sure. TTFN, Pam

I've looked at all Earle, Earl, Farl*, Hearl*, and Nicholas in Wales in 1851, and he's not there. I had the idea that Mary could have been b. in Pater when Jane went to visit Nicholas while his ship was in port. Where next - any ideas would be gratefully received. Thanks, Pam