Captain David McPherson Ramsay

[Fiona Napier]

I am wondering if anyone can help me find out what happened to my grandfather and where he is buried. He was a captain with the British India Steam Navigation Company and died out in Calcutta in 1932 at the age of forty one. I know he sailed on The Baroda as he named my mum after this ship! Mum was only three years old when her father died and therefore her memory of the events was extremely sketchy. if I could be directed to the correct route to take, I would be most grateful. The only document I have is his Master's Certificate of Competency issued in Queensland, Australia in 1923 and map of the BI routes of the time.

Fiona Napier

[j.sabourn]

I would think in 1923 his masters certificate would be a facsimile of the British one and therefore kept with the records of same. Those who do the backgrounds for people like yourself will have a better understanding of this so if you supply them with its number it will give them a better start. Best of luck. Regards JWS.

[Keith at Tregenna]

David Mcpherson Ramsay

India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948

Burial Date
29 Jun 1932

Burial Place
Calcutta, Bengal, India

Death Date
28 Jun 1932

Age
42

Birth Date
1890

Marital Status
Unknown

Citing this Record
"India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGKG-ZJ7 : 11 February 2018), David Mcpherson Ramsay, 29 Jun 1932; citing Calcutta, Bengal, India; index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 526,964.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/...r%3A1931-1933~

Keith.

[Keith at Tregenna]

[B]

David Mcpherson Ramsay

Keith.

David Mcpherson Ramsay

United Kingdom, Merchant Navy Seamen Records

1921-1941

Birthplace
Aberdeenshire

Birth Year
1890

Citing this Record
"United Kingdom, Merchant Navy Seamen Records, 1835-1941," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KC72-WFP : 5 December 2014), David Mcpherson Ramsay, ; From "Merchant Navy Seamen1835-1941," database and images, findmypast (Trace your Family Tree Online | Genealogy & Ancestry from Findmypast | findmypast.com : n.d.); citing BT 112-116, 119-120, series BT349, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/...r%3A1890-1891~

.

[Hugh]

Hello Fiona,
Captain David McPherson Ramsay was master of ss NUDDEA and died on 28 June 1932 from Ascending Infective Myelitis. He was buried on 29 June 1932 at the Scottish Cemetery Calcutta in connection with the Church of England.
He has a CR10 card with photo and a CR1 and CR2 card from the Fourth Register of Seamen. Send me your email address by private message and I will be glad to send them on to you. His master's Certificate of Competency number is 042501 and his Dis.A number is 375592.

Some other ships he sailed on - CARPANTARIA 1919/20 as 2nd Mate.
MANELA - 1921 - as 2nd Mate.

Regards
Hugh

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks Hugh.

I will wait for Fiona to reply prior to looking further.

I think so far you have answered her question.

Regards Keith.

[Fiona Napier]

I can't thank you enough guys for this information-I was quite teary reading your posts as finally we have found out where he is and the cause of death. I just wish I had done this whilst mum was still alive. She died last year at the age of 89. Unfortunately,she had to go through another tragedy in her life linked to the navy.She married my dad who was Ian Forbes Mackay and he also became a ship's master. He worked for Ben Line Steamers and his last command was on a tanker that Ben Line had leased. Dad went out for dinner in Texas and on returning to the vessel he tripped and drowned. this event was in Nederland, Texas on April 6th 1981. Dad was only 51 years old and mum was utterly devastated. I got the link for your website via Aline Dobbie who is a travel writer and who was speaking at a Inspiring India day last Saturday in Edinburgh. She actually thought he might be buried there as her grandparents are there too. I have spent hours and hours trying to get this info and you have done it in one afternoon. Can I ask where you managed to retrieve all this Hugh? You have both made my day-MANY thanks Fiona
PS I will send my email address privately once I work out how to do that!!

[Hugh]

Email sent Fiona - medal file for WW1 here: BT 351/1/116454

Regards
Hugh

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hi Fiona,

Two sites that I use a lot are:


https://www.familysearch.org/search/...r%3A1931-1933~

And

https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

Both are free, though family search require registration.

Keith.

[Fiona Napier]

Thanks Keith,

I am so amazed at the help you have both been today and already shared it with my brother and two daughters. There was a photo on one document and they could see the family resemblance!!

Fiona