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Thread: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

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    Default Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    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

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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    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)
    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 30th January 2023 at 08:41 PM.
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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    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?

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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    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.



    Last edited by Doc Vernon; 30th January 2023 at 09:26 PM.
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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    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

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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Will View Post
    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 Ł3.50. 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.

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Will View Post

    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
    Last edited by Hugh; 31st January 2023 at 06:42 AM.
    "If Blood was the price
    We had to pay for our freedom
    Then the Merchant Ship Sailors
    Paid it in full”


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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    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
    "If Blood was the price
    We had to pay for our freedom
    Then the Merchant Ship Sailors
    Paid it in full”


    www.sscityofcairo.co.uk

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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    Well done boys, you never cease to amaze

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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

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

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    Default Re: Searching for John Wilson - seaman

    Quote Originally Posted by Ivan Cloherty View Post
    Well done boys, you never cease to amaze

    I completely agree.

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