Genealogy Chat

If a relative was a mariner/seaman, Naval or merchant, would there be no way of including them on a census? And would it be necessary to look for his family elsewhere say, for wherever the family were based? Once that info is discovered. See my other thread...........This relative cannot be found after 1851............ Lin

Lin I think the ship had to be in a British port on census night to be included Carole

Yes that makes sense Carole, looking like it's explaining why I can't find him. Lin

I have mariners that aren't at home on census night and it is so infuriating as sometimes you get a brief glimpse of them never to be seen again!!!

I have gg granddad on a Royal Navy Ship on census night in Devonport in 1881.

But coming back to your previous thread, if he was in the Royal Navy and you get the record it will tell youthe ships he served on and the periods - you might be able to take it from there -don't know if the Merchant Navy records would tell you the same though

That was so lucky Carole, and I can share Pippa's frustration in having them disappear on you like that. Lin

Thats useful Carole thanks, I shall have to get my sea legs then as they say lol! A lot to look into here, could be at this for quite a while......... Funny thing is too, this uncles older brother, is also missing from the census' too, they were both training as Block makers in 1851, then both disappear after that. they married within two years of each other 1858 and 1860. I sent for both their marriage certs and have so far just received the one...............I will be gobsmacked if his brother has gone the same route.......???? Roll on Monday........other cert better be here by then lol..........I might end up with two to do!!! Lin

Ive only ever found fishermen on the census if they are out at sea. My Great Grandad only appears on one census after he marries and that is when he appears to have retired and become a stationary engineer at the gas works. Prior to that wife is shown as head 'mariner's wife'.

From what your saying then Heather, it might pay me to look in the census' under the wives? Lin

Oh if he were married, certainly, check for the wife's name.

One of the census returns for the household states husband at sea. You never know what you could find.

My (English) great-grandfather turned up on the Scottish census for 1891! The coordinates given for the ship's location place it in English waters, so I can only suppose it was a Scottish-registered ship. Worth a try if you are going on Scotland's People anyway, but I wouldn't suggest buying credits just on the off-chance! But I haven't managed to find him on some of the other censuses. Some seamen are only listed by their initials anyway, and sometimes everybody on a ship will be birthplace unknown, so it isn't very easy to find them. Some of my great-grandfather's uncles etc. who were also merchant seamen are nowhere to be found on any census! One good thing is that they often left wills, though... Kate.

Hi Carole My great grandfather was in Devonport in 1881 too. HMS Impregnable, I believe it was a training ship. I have other mariners who appear on the censuses. Louise

Well that's opened up another avenue Kate re the wills, thanks for that little gem. Lin

Oh and Kate, not to forget all those sailors in lodgings on census night where the landlord has no idea who they are and you just get a list of 'Mariners' dob unknown pob unknown.

Louise Not on the same as mine - Royal Adelaide - another training ship - but I believe some of these raining ships were actually not shps but bases

Yes Carole, they still are - all the training 'colleges' get names like HMS xxxxxx

Heather, Carole, If they were block maker who did go to sea, would they possibly be based at these training camps also, from time to time. Lin

Ha ha - explains why we find them on the census then...bit difficult sailing off to sea when it's not acually a ship :-)