Seamen's Photos

[Blue70]

Does anyone know if the original photos rather than scans are available anywhere for the new records on FMP? I'm very happy to finally get a photo of my Holland Great Grandfather but I was wondering whether the quality could be improved upon.

Blue

[Katie]

The originals are held at Southampton Archives (Just Google) They will give you a scan of the original which will be better quality. The last time I requested one the charge was £1.25 for front of the card and the same price for the back. If you get in touch with them they will be able to advise on the charges.

[Hilary]

Find my Past says

The publication of the Merchant Navy Seamen records 1918-1941 is the first phase of a release of merchant navy records from The National Archives. In due course, we will be publishing additional records on findmypast.co.uk, covering an earlier period from 1835 to 1857.

[Blue70]

Thanks Katie. E-mail sent.


Blue

[Blue70]

It took about 2 weeks for Southampton Archives, Southampton City Council to respond to my e-mail! The explanation of the pricing of the different photocopying services available was confusing Southampton said so themselves in their e-mail. I waited a further 3-4 weeks to receive my photocopies.

Despite the long wait I'm very pleased with the results. I ordered two separate A4 size "colour" photocopies of the photo side of the card for two of my seamen ancestors. Total cost was £7.50 including search and postage costs. The "colour" photos are a lot clearer the lighter shades don't appear well on the black and white images of the cards.


Blue

[MaryA]

I'm glad it was such a successful purchase and thanks for letting us know that it would be worth while to apply for the copies.

[Katie]

Find My Past should have made people aware of the originals at Southampton. Years ago I sent of for them to do a search for my Grandad and Great Grandad Joseph McCormick They only charged £5.00 for the search. I can tell you I was the best thing since sliced bread with my aunties when I got a picture of my Grandad aged 17 years. No Older Joseph McCormick but then again he was sailing under different names we don't know which one. I scanned the copy into my computer took it to Klicks got them to cut out his picture and had it copied on to Glossy photo paper. Well done Blue

[dickiesam]

Hi Katie,
Just wondering if you had any further luck with g.g.father Joseph McCormick?
There are 14 J McCormick entries on the Crew lists. 7 are Josephs; 5 are from Liverpool and 2 from the IoM. YoBs range from 1838 to 1888.

Tell me his YoB and I'll check for you.

DS

[Katie]

Hi DS

I have 3 Joseph McCormicks who I have labelled:

Joseph 1 Grandad born Liverpool 1902
Joseph 2 G.G. Grandad born 1876 Liverpool (bit of a scoundrel this one deserted his wife Annie by getting off the ship he was on and forgetting to come back to his wife) used his Nephews discharge number to go away to sea under the assumed name of Scanlon
Joseph 3 G.G.G Grandad another scoundrel never at home at the time of a Census his father was called Felix. I think I have him being born in Liverpool in 1835 not 100% sure yet I am waiting for the crew lists from Liverpool (which by the way have been sent off to Ancestry to be scanned and indexed) to come out. He left his boys with various relations in Saltney Street and forgot they were there. I think I have him dying in Liverpool in 1901 but I am not claiming him yet till those dratted Crew Lists come out.

[Blue70]

Here is the information Southampton Archives sent me it's best they explain to you their pricing rather than me. It is worth the effort if anyone wants a better quality photo:-


Thanks for your message. I am sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. We can certainly search for these seamen and copy their CR10 cards. The cards are the size of an index card with the photograph being around the size of a passport photograph. We can blow the card up either to A4 size or to A5 size (if we do the latter we could fit both cards onto one A4 sheet and copy them together).

There is a £4 search fee (£2 per seaman) which covers our time in retrieving the card then we charge £1.25 per A4 copy, and £1 for postage within the UK. If you want the photo sides only of both cards, together on one sheet, the total would be £6.25. If you want the cards done separately, blown up to A4 then the total is £7.50. If you want both sides doing, then it’s a total of £7.50 if you want both cards copied together and £10 if you want them doing separately. I hope this makes sense!

You can pay by credit/debit card or by cheque. If by card please let us have full name & address, card number, expiry date, & 3 digit security number on the back. It’s probably best to phone through details during our opening hours – Tues 12.30-4.30, Wed & Thurs 9.30-4.430. (023 8083 2251)

Alternatively you can send a cheque (sterling only) made payable to Southampton City Council to:-Southampton Archives Services, Civic Centre, Southampton SO14 7LY

Please give your seamen’s details when you get back to us, and let us know if you want both sides of the card or just the photo side.



Blue

[MaryA]

Thanks Blue, that's very helpful.

[dickiesam]

Hi Katie,
Just wondering if you had any further luck with g.g.father Joseph McCormick?
There are 14 J McCormick entries on the Crew lists. 7 are Josephs; 5 are from Liverpool and 2 from the IoM. YoBs range from 1838 to 1888.

Tell me his YoB and I'll check for you.

DS

Hi Katie,
I've had a looksee but was unable to tie up anyone in particular from the info you provided. It looks like a wait until Ancestry does it's thing with the scans of the crew lists from Liverpool. Sorry..

DS

[Katie]

Thanks DS. He will pop his head up when his ready. LOL