Does anyone know how I would go about getting a copy of a Master Mariner's Certificate for a ship co

Katherine_Stewart

My Great Uncle was the commander of the R.M.S. Newfoundland & per my grandmother's notes he received his Master Mariner's Certificate around 1931. Hoping to find an archive where I can get a copy for my family genealogy records. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Dennis J Yancey

@Looping in the British . . .

 

@British Isles Family History Research​ 

Dennis J Yancey

also - do you really know that copies of such certificates exist??

 

I mean various fancy certifcates of various types - dont always really get archived the way one might think. Marriage Certificates - there are some fancy marriage certificates that you may get when you are married - but that doesnt mean that decades later - you can get that same fancy certificate just as it was when you originially got it. - though you can get the proof of the marriage license/record etc.

 

LegacyUser

Hi Dennis,

Yes, they definitely exist. This was a significant testing process by the British government and through this website I was able to find that the records were put on microfilm & categorized. I've found that the Family History Library (Salt Lake City, UT) may have what I need but they are closed & not even answering phones due to the pandemic. I have been unable to locate any other source, which is why I posted my question.

LegacyUser

Thanks for linking!

Dennis J Yancey

it would probably be very helpful - if you could share some of the links/sites you allude to. (url's)

LegacyUser

This series of records may possibly be what you are referring to

Lloyd's captains registers 1851-1947

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/567502

 

However, the microfilms have not been digitised, and are only available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City

 

"Microreproduction of original manuscripts in the Guildhall Library, London (Mss. 18,567-71). Compiled from the record of Certificates of Competency issued to masters. This was kept by the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen from 1851 in accordance with the Mercantile Marine Act, 1850."

 

So these records seem to be compiled from, but not the actual certificates.

 

This guide from the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich "Research guide C2: The Merchant Navy

Tracing people - master-mariners, mates and engineers " https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/research-guides/research-guide-c2-merchant-navy-tracing-people-master-mariners-mates

 

indicates that

"1854–1927

All master-mariners operating during this period would have been required to hold a certificate, of which many have survived and are now in the care of the National Maritime Museum.

1928–date

Certificates from 1928 onwards have not survived, but there are some registers of certificates applied for and issued at the National Archives"