Thread: Merchant Navy help

My husband's grt grt grandfather was born in Wisbech, Norfolk where he was a 17 year old apprentice seaman in 1851. Later cenus finds him in Sunderland and eventually as a Master Mariner, is there any way I can find any records relating to him? I'd like to find out which ship or ships he served on if possible.



Chrissa

Could you post his name? There might be something in the National Archives - try searching their site

Gillian

Hi again Gillian



His name was Alphonso Tiffin - and there is a family rumour that there is an Italian connection in the family but That will need a lot more searching. I tried the National Archives site but got a bit lost in there!



Chrissa

Know what you mean! Try this link for general guidelines as to what might be available -

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/guide/trade/merchantnavy.htm

Also have a look at -

http://www.angelfire.com/de/BobSanders/Site.html

Gillian

Hi Gillian



Thank you for those sites, I have added them to favourites and will search them at the weekend when I have more time. I work full time which doesn't leave much time in the evenings! I have discovered though that there were Tiffins who owned ships, not Alphonso but maybe a connection. Lot more research needed I think.



Chrissa

I don't know if this is any help to you or whether you already have the information.



On the 1871 Census ALPHONZO H. TIFFIN is living with his sister Alvina (married name McGregor) and her family.



The Census shows Alphonso H. Tiffin being born in Cambridgeshire, England



The H is for Howard.



Hope you find what your looking for.



Tralena.

Thank you Tralena



I should have said that I have Alphonso on all the census returns, I would like to find out a bit more about his naval record if I could. I believe Kew is the place to go to search.



Chrissa