Searching for John Wilson - seaman

[Rob Will]

Hi. I am assisting a friend with an inquiry about an ancestor of his named John Wilson. John was born in Aberdeen circa 1852, and was a seaman until at least 1914. The story is that we was lost at sea, but I am at a loss to find any records related to this. I am told that he was on the Andaman #29984 in 1874, and my friend thinks that his merchant navy number was 683E (althought that diesn't sound right to me).

So far, I have not been able to find any record of the Andaman, or any mates/masters certifications for John Wilson. Any ideas how I can find a service records (if any) for this man, or ideally a death record?

Any help appreciated
/rob

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Rob
Tough one this but a start possibly here

Official Numbers: 29880, 29885, 29886, 29896, 29921, 29933, 29974, 29984, 30000, 30032,... | The National Archives

This gives you the Reference to that Ship and the Crew at the time which is 1900.

This may help in starting off!
Its always a long road!
Cheers

Crew List Index Search Results (mun.ca)


There are of course more dates and things you may wany to try and follow up on??

Here Crew List Index Project

Possible Hugh will also add to this as he seems to be able to trace older type Seamans Records!
Cheers

PS I too will keep on looking!

This is just futher information that may assist you in your Searching!

ANDAMAN	1866	Liverpool	Liverpool Archives	387 CRE/40
ANDAMAN	1867	Liverpool	Liverpool Archives	387 CRE/40
ANDAMAN	1868	Liverpool	Liverpool Archives	387 CRE/40
ANDAMAN	1869	Liverpool	Liverpool Archives	387 CRE/40
ANDAMAN	1870	Liverpool	Liverpool Archives	387 CRE/40

Archive sheet 39 - Researching seafaring ancestors in the First World War | National Museums Liverpool (liverpoolmuseums.org.uk)

[Rob Will]

Much obliged, Doc. This will certainly help as a starting point for my search. Pity I live thousands of miles from the National Archives. I notice that these enties also reference the Maritime History Archives, where the crew agreements for #29984 are kept. The MHA site claims that the crew agreements exist on Ancestry for most of the period between 1865 and 1900. That sounds very promising. Thanks for your help. Any idea if there is a list of merchant navy sailors who died at sea anywhere on line?

[Doc Vernon]

There is a paid site that has the Records of Seaman who died at Sea, dont know exactly how far back it goes but i have used it on many occasions to assist others!
Its a Find my Past Site in the UK and you can use the single pay as you find which makes it really handy! You have to join first which is Free.
Cheers

British armed forces and overseas deaths and burials | findmypast.co.uk

Do you know approx Year of Death , would assist in Search!


Wonder if he was on the Apapa at all??

Ship Apapa , official number: 136797. When built: 1914. Registry closed: 1917. | The National Archives

Crew List Index Search Results (mun.ca) Canadian University Archives very helpful as well , any contact to Mrs Tanya MacDonald ( Head Archivist there) Nice Lady.

Researching Crew Agreements and Official Logbooks (mun.ca)

John

Wilson

1917

Apapa

At Sea

BT 334

Deaths At Sea 1891 – 1972

Catalogue descriptionShip Andaman , official number: 29984. When built: 1865. Registry closed: 1900.

[Rob Will]

Doc:

Great catch re the Apapa. John Wilson known to be alive and working as a seaman in 1914 (ship not known). I will definitely check out findmypast - I prefer single pay.

Thanks for all the links - just what I was looking for. /rob

[Hugh]

thinks that his merchant navy number was 683E (althought that diesn't sound right to me).

Hi Rob,
The key to this or at least part of it is that number you quote - yes, it is not his MN Dis.A number but it is his last R.V.2, Royal Naval Reserve (R.N.R.) number.
He was enrolled in the RNR on 22 February 1875 and only his last term has appeared to survive which is under the R.V.2 Number 683E. He completed about 22 years service and his engagement is completed by 1898. You can download this service record for free from TNA Kew in piece BT 164/10/284 you just have to sign in otherwise it is £3.50. It lists some of his ships but not those prior to 1895 as they would have been recorde in previous R.V. No's. I will check for further details.

the Apapa. John Wilson known to be alive and working as a seaman in 1914 (ship not known). I will definitely check out findmypast - I prefer single pay.

We can rule APAPA out - not the same man.

Regards
Hugh

[Hugh]

I can see him aboard JOHN ADAMSON, signs on at London 26/8/1875 discharged Hull 17/11/1875
Also ANDAMAN he joins 28/11/1875 and discharged Liverpool 11/6/1876.

Regards
Hugh

[Ivan Cloherty]

Well done boys, you never cease to amaze

[Rob Will]

Great information Hugh! I knew that this forum would be able to point me in the right directions. Many thanks!

[Rob Will]

Well done boys, you never cease to amaze

I completely agree.