plbutts2009 wrote:
Does anyone know where I can research information on the Merchant Marines?
I am told my great-grandfather was a Captain in the Merchant Marines, I even have a picture of him in uniform, but I don't know if/where to research their records.
Any ideas are appreciated.
Was your Great-Grandfather in the Merchant Marines or the Merchant navy might be the same? I was looking for info in Canada about my fathers service, but came up empty. But a poster in a Sports Forum I belong to, I guy told me about this....maybe your father was in the British Merchant Navy?? Didn,t think about that angle so this is what i was able to find out.
Good Luck from Caper
Merchant Navy Records
The National Archives
Ruskin Ave
Richmond
Surrey
England
TW9 4DU
It may be helpful if I explain that most First and Second World War Merchant Marine records have now been passed to The National Archives at the above address from the Registry of Shipping and Seamen. The National Archives provides helpful information sheets explaining what records are available at http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.g ... ndex.asp#m
You can consult the Second World War Merchant Navy campaign medal roll on The National Archives website. As medals had to be claimed and were not automatically issued, if you are unable to find your relative listed on this it is probably because their medals were never requested.
Excellent sources of information for the Merchant Navy can be found at:
Guildhall Library
Lloyd’s Marine Collection
Aldermanbury
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel: 020 7332 1868
The Guildhall Library website
The National Maritime Museum
Romney Road
Greenwich
London SE10 9NF
Tel: 020 8858 4422
Website: http://www.nmm.ac.uk
Information sheets: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/nav.005002006000003
Most Crew List and Agreements are held by the Maritime History Archive, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Newfoundland, A1C 5S7, Canada. Their website address is http://www.mun.ca/mha/ The National Archives and the National Maritime Museum also have some, but guidance about this is given on their websites.
The Imperial War Museum has some material that can help with Merchant Navy research, for example, a selection of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping for the First and Second World Wars.
I hope this information is helpful.
Yours sincerely
Janet Dolan
Veterans Advice Team
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Norcross,
Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP
Freeline: 0800 169 22 77
Tel (Overseas): +44 1253 866 043
Textphone: 0800 169 34 58
email:
veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk http://www.veterans-uk.info