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

Katherine_Stewart
Katherine_Stewart
March 8, 2021 edited March 8, 2021 in General Questions

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.

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Answers

  • Dennis J Yancey
    Dennis J Yancey ✭✭✭✭✭
    March 8, 2021

    @Looping in the British . . .

     

    @British Isles Family History Research​ 

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  • Dennis J Yancey
    Dennis J Yancey ✭✭✭✭✭
    March 8, 2021

    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.

     

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  • LegacyUser
    LegacyUser ✭✭✭✭
    March 8, 2021

    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.

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  • LegacyUser
    LegacyUser ✭✭✭✭
    March 8, 2021

    Thanks for linking!

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  • Dennis J Yancey
    Dennis J Yancey ✭✭✭✭✭
    March 8, 2021

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

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  • LegacyUser
    LegacyUser ✭✭✭✭
    March 8, 2021

    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"

     

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