Mersey Maritime Museum Archive Collections

[Horsley2016]

Hi all,

Not sure if anyone has any advice/experience on accessing this archives based there? I have tried contacting them just now but they are still on their Xmas break. Through my family research I found very close members who were temporarily placed into the Seamans Orphanage. I dealt with a lady at the RLSOI who found out some details and, after paying their fee for the process, was sent a letter for me to 'take' to the Maritime Museum giving me permission to access archives, records, photos etc relevant.

Trouble is, I can't get to Liverpool in anywhere near the short/mid term and I'm not even sure what records I could access and how I would begin to find them!!! The letter from RLSOI gave some details from their records (dates, names, boat name, outdoor relief dates etc) but no information on what 'else' I could expect to find that will help me build my family picture. I guess I'm wondering if anyone knows it they offer a service I could use. Their website suggests not, but then I have this letter with permissions on it! I've also tried going back to the lady at RLSOI but haven't heard anything back.

Knowledge is power as they say. If I have to head there in person so be it. It's just going to be frustrating having to wait!

M

[lancsman]

Hi again Horsley2016,

By coincidence I spotted another of your entries on the forum today.

From my personal experience of using the Merseyside Maritime Museum collections/services etc. I can report that they were extremely helpful and it is a wonderful resource to visit.
I live on the South Coast - so I too have to plan ahead when wanting to maximise the time I have when visiting any Archives etc in the North.

There is an online catalogue of the collections they hold, and that may help in identifying what you may wish to look at on a visit.
I worked through this making notes of the topics I was interested in and followed up by e-mail to them with some questions about some of the resources and availability to research them on site. From this interchange of e-mails I was able to identify which records would most likely provide the information I was looking for.
I then booked a session in advance for a specific date and the archive material was ready for me on arrival.

I spent the whole day there and can honestly say it was probably the most productive single day of research I have ever had.
Starting with a single (unnamed) old photo of a man in seamans unform and an understanding that he had worked on a lightship in the Mersey Estuary - I came away with confirmation of the uniform (confirmed by reference to badges held in the Museum) and the complete history of his over 30 service for the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, together with photocopies of the records and the HD&HB magazine in which he had written an article covering his time on the Lightships.

It also helped - by coincidence - that the day of my visit cocincided with varioius members of the Liverpool Nautical Research Society being present - who also helped my quest.

I cannot speak too highly as to the helpfulness of the Museum staff.

I would suggest you contact them about what you are trying to find/confirm and explain what information you already have.
I am sure they will be as helpful as possible and may be able to point you towards other sources.

P.S. - I also spent time in the Liverpool Central Liberary - another excellent source.

Hope this helps & Good Luck

J

[MaryA]

Hello Horsley, sorry you haven't had a response before this. Lancsman's advice is the best, narrowing down what you want to see and then follow it up with an email to check that they have everything you want and to get it ready on the day of your visit.

Thank you Lancsman for giving us the benefit of your previous experience.