Hello

[Stephen Potter]

Hi thanks for letting me join.

Not a seaman myself but my maternal grandfather and my dad both were (RN and Merchant) and I would love to research more about their lives at sea.

Look forward to talking with you all.

Cheers

Steve

[Stephen Potter]

Just to add a bit of detail my Dad, Robert Potter or "Bob" or "Pansy" worked on the Cunard liners in the early 1960s. Unfortunately we lost Dad in 2019 but I have many stories of his times in both the RN and Merchant Navy but my Grandad was alot older.
Edgar Walter Phillips, my Mum's dad, joined the RN in the 1890s and moved on to the Merchant Navy after WW 1. Based in Southampton family legend says that at one time he was the "Shore Bosun" for The White Star Line in Southampton Docks but I've not been able to confirm that.
Would love to get some advice about how to research his career.
Thanks in advance.
Steve

[Ivan Cloherty]

First of all full names and dates and places where/when born if known, any other information from any papers you may hold, our volunteer researchers will do their best to help but need a starting point.

[Stephen Potter]

OK many thanks I will get the info together and post.
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

Yes as said by Ivan we need as much info as possible to start the searching for you.
Full names , dates of Birth, and places of Birth.
All this will assist !
Cheers

[Stephen Potter]

Hi thanks for replies.
I have some info on my grandfather
Edgar Walter Phillips, DoB 2nd August 1879 or possibly 1880
Birth place - West Cowes, Isle of Wight
Signed up with the Royal Navy April 1895, discharged 2nd August 1919 and I assume he worked in the Merchant Navy from 1919.
He lived in Southampton throughout the rest of his life and died in 1946.
I hope this is useful and would be very grateful for any help.
Many thanks
Steve

[Stephen Potter]

Brilliant thank you Marian

[Stephen Potter]

Sorry didn't answer your final question Marian re Census information - yes please

[Stephen Potter]

My Grandmother was called Gertrude but she was much younger ( Not born until 1900) so he may have been married before he eventually married her but I don't know of an Annie.

[Doc Vernon]

Normally also help on these Stephen but my Sub on FMP has run out, so for now i am out of the research until i think of renewing.
As for other MN Records i have just had a quick look ,thus far have not found any records for him. But will look futher later on
Cheers