Merchant Seamen

janwhin · #1 12-09-2012, 11:11 AM

Noticed today that Ancestry have launched a new set of records. These are the certificates for Masters and Mates covering the period 1850 to 1927. I've looked at one of my ancestors and there are 2 certificates, for mate (1864) and then master (1867), together with certificates of competence signed off at Amble, by a Wm? Arkless, superintendant. The examination was passed at Dundee.

Coquet · #2 12-09-2012, 08:27 PM

And you can search by birthplace alone, so you can list the Amble born Mates and Masters.

hollydog · #3 14-09-2012, 07:01 PM

Janwhin, I have at least 2 masters directly related from that era who must have known your relative as one of mine passed at Dundee in the late 1860's as well!
Captain James Young, Amble Coastguard and one of his sons - who is one I need help on please !! William Neil Young born Craster 1858 went off and married in South Africa, had a family, fought in the Boer War but appeared back in Amble in 1912 (a postcard record) It is the last any of us including the South African family have any record of him!! Thanks to the deaths at sea register I have found him recorded as passing away on the SS Hyltonia a collier, Elyth (Blyth?) 15 june 1918 age 61, still a ships master perhaps?
Can anyone tell me where to look next for details - would he be buried in Blyth? or at sea? any suggestions appreciated thanks

janwhin · #4 15-09-2012, 05:38 PM

Hollydog, have you access to the Ancestry records? I've just had a quick look and there is quite a lot on there. He even says where he served in the Boer War. I would have thought local newspapers would be a good source for his death, he could have been buried at sea or elsewhere in the country. I'll have a better think tomorrow....pub calling

hollydog · #5 15-09-2012, 06:36 PM

Thanks Janwhin enjoy your pint! , I went with Findmypast - not familiar with Ancestry unfortunately. He was a colourful character by all accounts What were the local papers in 1918? we wonder if he was buried in Blyth. I would go to Woodhorn but I need to know what to look for!

janwhin · #6 16-09-2012, 11:41 AM

There is an application in July 1911 for a replacement master's certificate, which your man says was lost in 1901 during the Boer War. He was serving in East Transvaal, South Africa, as a trooper in the 2nd Imperial Light Horse.
He came back to England in 1911, serving as an able seaman on the Kildonan Castle, running the Cape mail from Cape Town to Plymouth. (7-24 June).
It looks to me like it was Blyth he died at, there is a death registration in Tynemouth registration district in June quarter, 1918.
The best newspaper is probably the Morpeth Herald, Woodhorn isn't great for newspapers but Morpeth library has a full set. Otherwise I guess a look through cemetery records for Blyth at Woodhorn.