Merchant Navy Census

[Scouserbetty]

Hi, my Grandfather was in the Merchant Navy from when he was about 16 to the end of ww2. I carnt find him in the 1901 census, maybe he was at see at the time of the census. I am wondering if anyone knows if the Merchant Navy had their own census. I would welcome the help. Betty.

[merseyclyder1970]

Hello, I am interested in this topic also, as my GG Grandfather John Mounsey Potts disappeared for a 40 year period, and when he returned on the 1901 census, he was listed as a retired mariner. I have never been able to find him between 1851 and 1901.

Thank you

merseyclyder1970

[68pages]

http://www.bbcwhodoyouthinkyouaremagazi ... -ancestors

Hi This link shows you how you can find the records and this link gives information about how the census was collected.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hitch/gend ... s2.html#MN

When was John Mounsey Potts born and where?


Victoria

[Scouserbetty]

Thanks a lot. Betty.

[dickiesam]

I understand that a mariner/seaman etc had to be within the British Isles, ie resident on the night of the census, to be included in the census count. He could be at home, in lodgings or on board a ship provided the ship was in port. Once at sea, he could not be counted as a resident.

I have a couple of men who were not in 2 successive censuses although their wives and families were. I was mystified until I later discovered they were both soldiers and serving abroad at census time.
Dickiesam

[tonyhennessey1]

Hi all
Dickie Sam wrote

I understand that a mariner/seaman etc had to be within the British Isles, ie resident on the night of the census, to be included in the census count

My example may be the exception to the rule but I have my GX2 Grandfather in the Royal Navy on board ship in Cadiz harbour in 1861.


Tony

[MaryA]

I rather think that might be an exception Tony, but what a great bonus to have.

Out of curiosity can you give us the reference numbers so that we can have a dekko.

Thanks

[tonyhennessey1]

Hi Mary

RG9/4441/124/7


Tony

[tonyhennessey1]

Hi all
I don't know if there is an easier way of doing this but when I viewed the page and where it reads (on the top of the page)
Royal Navy > Vessels > District St Jean d Acre > Page 22
I clicked on vessels and a new Browse box came up. This lists all the Royal Navy vessels as Enumeration districts . Such a list doesn't appear to be accessible from the first Search window.
Its probably only 1861 that has this function where all Royal Navy ships are listed and with a description of the enumeration district. The Government/Civil Service mustn't have thought it a security issue listing every ship, where it was in the world, how many men on board and how many guns. I imagine a lot of people around the world would be very interested in that sort of info. today.
I must check to see if this is available in any other census year.
added later - available for 1861/1871/1881/1901 - nothing for 1841/1851/1891


Tony

ps I'm not very keen on Ancestry's new page layout. There used to be a choice between an old search and a new search system but as from yesterday there isn't an option. The new layout makes the viewing area of a census page smaller. I suppose I'll have to get used to it.

[MaryA]

I see what you mean, you can minimise the right hand panel and also the one below but it still feels quite small, it's because of the bars above the image I think.

On investigation I discovered that "Royal Navy" is down the list of Counties, with "Vessels" being the Civil Parish. There is also in 1861 a county of "Misc Ships at Sea or Abroad", again with Vessels for the Civil Parish.

You can reach these lists either by the drop down County box as you did, or by scrolling down the bottom of the page where it gives you the counties choices to browse by district.

I've discovered that "Royal Navy" is available also for the 1871, 1881 and 1901 censuses.

[dickiesam]

Hi all
Dickie Sam wrote

I understand that a mariner/seaman etc had to be within the British Isles, ie resident on the night of the census, to be included in the census count

My example may be the exception to the rule but I have my GX2 Grandfather in the Royal Navy on board ship in Cadiz harbour in 1861.


Tony

Hi Tony and all,
On reflection I don't think he was an exception. Perhaps there was a difference between Royal Navy and merchant vessels? A Royal Navy vessel would be considered as part of the 'British Isles' and British 'soil' no matter where in the world it was located.

Would have to dig into the history of merchant shipping to find out when registration of such vessels became mandatory and British registration meant the vessel was, for all intents and purposes, British 'soil'. I believe that's how a captain of a ship has the right to legally marry a couple according to British law.
Dickiesam

[jan44]

I found this info if it helps.

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKCensuses.html

I too found my gg grandad in 1861 census on a ship in Malta.

Jan