Genealogy Forum UK

Hi, I am looking on for any information on Charles William Davis (my g grandfather) born 1832 Camberwell, died sometime in the 1890's. He married Rosina Cole in 1864 in Bristol, On The marriage Certificate it states he was a mariner. Is there anyway I could find out what ship/s he worked on? The next Census in 1871 states he was working as a clerk in Rosina's families Pottery in Bristol. I can't find him in the 1851 or 1861 Census at all. His father John (wine merchant) died in 1842., and I have not been able to trace the other members of the family since the 1841 Census when they were living in Newington, Surrey. What age would a lad be able to go to sea in those days? Thanks everyone, Sara.

Hi ,
As noted below records vast majority of records of mariners records were sold to Newfoundland University and only about 10% lie with National Archives other than Officer Records.
There is an on-line web number that can be used to make contact with Newfoundland and last time I used it the costs for research were very expensive.
10% samples of all logbooks for the above period are held at the TNA at Kew in classification BT99 AGREEMENTS & CREW LISTS SERIES 11. 80% are now held at the MARITIME HISTORY ARCHIVE, MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND, St JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA, A1C 5S7. The remaing 10% are held at the NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM at Greenwich. These records are for the years ending in "5" ie 1855, 1865, 1875.

Hi there, thank you for the information, seems a shame we can't hold our own records in this country! I will try and get to Greenwich firstly, then have to rethink. Best wishes, Sara.