Free access to UK Wartime Records until 8/11/2022

Posted on November 5, 2022 | Leave a comment

To mark Remembrance Day you can learn more about your family’s wartime experiences with free access to UK Wartime Records until 8th November on Ancestry.

Free access to UK Wartime Records until 8/11/2022

I managed to find some new records relating to Frank Beven Howard, who I am related to through a great-aunt.

I found he was awarded the Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1946 and his name appeared in two records – the Application Books and the Register Index [UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972].

I also found 8 new to me records relating to the naval service of Captain Thomas Mansel so it was well worth a look. Hopefully I will have some more time before the free access ends.

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Posted in Mansel family

George Caswell RN

Posted on September 21, 2022 | Leave a comment

Today I came across a reference to George Caswell in Slater’s, late Pigot & co., Royal National and Commercial Directory and Topography of the Counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, 1852. The entry was as follows:

Gentry and Clergy

Captain George Caswell R.N.

Botley Cottage

This may have been on Botley High Street as the 1851 census in the previous year lists his residence as High Street, Botley.

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Posted in Caswell family

Form of Certificate and Declaration for the Navy Pension List

Posted on September 19, 2022 | 1 comment

I recently discovered a collection of paperwork relating to an application for a Navy pension written by Captain Thomas Mansel RN to the Secretary of the Admiralty on the 20th March 1846. I can’t believe these survived, tucked away at The National Archives and were catalogued. I was able to pay for the records to be scanned.

There was a Form of Certificate and Declaration required for placing the widow of an Officer of the Royal Navy on the Pension List. This was completed for Elizabeth Leigh, wife of Benjamin Leigh who had been a Retired Commander in the Royal Navy. The certificate was signed by Captain Mansel RN, William Harrison Vicar of Fareham and James xxx, Church Warden.

Captain Mansel was related to Elizabeth Leigh by marriage, he married their daughter Selina Fleming Leigh in 1828.

As well as the certificate were two pages of hand-written letter. It is always exciting to discover a hand-written letter and this one contained something else, a new address! I wasn’t aware that Captain Mansel ever lived in Devonport but he wrote the letter from 19 Tamar Terrace, Stoke, Devonport. I think the address still exists although it has been re-named. The paperwork also refers to his address in Fareham so this must have been a temporary residence.

I am looking forward to transcribing the letter when I have a moment. The signature matches that on the signed photo I have of him.

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Posted in Leigh family, Mansel family, Royal Navy

Memorandum of the Services of Matthew Young

Posted on September 15, 2022 | Leave a comment

I recently received a couple of documents I paid to be scanned at the National Archives. I had actually completely forgotten I had ordered them so was pleasantly surprised to find the scans in my TNA account.

Memorandum of the Services of Matthew Young

The first document was a Memorandum of the Services of Matthew Young. This is a really interesting document detailing the career of Matthew Young, from June 1798. The cursive writing is beautiful but a little hard to decipher – it may have been submitted by him.

I think he started as a supernumerary, before becoming midshipman and lieutenant. “Captured in 1807 when in charge of a Danish East India ship and detained as a prisoner of war until 1814. From the severe treatment I received when captured, the loss of every thing I possessed, my journals, certificates and has rendered me incapable of giving a proper correct statement of my services.”

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Posted in Royal Navy, Young family

If I ever get to visit The National Archives

Posted on August 8, 2022 | Leave a comment

I’m starting a list of documents I need to consult when I get time to visit The National Archives:

In 1677 the Admiralty introduced examinations for prospective lieutenants to test whether individuals had the necessary experience and skills. They were awarded a certificate if they passed. These certificates, which can provide information about a man’s service prior to the exam, usually recorded the age, date and place of birth of the officer as well as the names of the ships he had served on – Alfred Young

Royal Navy lieutenants’ passing certificates 1691-1902 / by Bruno Pappalardo

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Official warrant and commission documents from the Admiralty

Posted on August 7, 2022 | Leave a comment

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I have discovered some records relating to my ancestors held by the Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. I was able to pay for these records to be scanned and they were sent to me last week.

Within ADL/2/19 there were four records – two relating to Henry Harper who I am related to by marriage, one for Thomas Mansel and one for Alfred Young. I have transcribed the ones relating to my ancestors and they are official warrant and commission documents from the Admiralty.

ADL/2/19 Thomas Mansel

By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

To Thomas Mansel Esq. hereby appointed Captain of His Majesty’s Ship Royal William

By virtue of the power and authority to us given we do hereby constitute and appoint you Captain of His Majesty’s Ship the Royal William willing and requiring you forthwith to go on board and take upon you the charge and command of Captain in her accordingly, Strictly Charging and Commanding all the Officers and Company of the said ship to behave themselves jointly and severally in their respective Employments, with all due Respect and Obedience unto you their said Captain and you likewise to observe and execute the General Printed Instructions and such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from us or any other your Superior Officers for His Majesty’s Service.

Hereof nor you nor any of you may fail as you will answer the Contrary at your Peril. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given under our hands and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty this twelfth day of February 1834. In the Fourth Year of His Majesty’s Reign.

By Command of their Lordships ….

ADL/2/19 Alfred Young

By the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

To Lieutenant Alfred Young hereby appointed Lieutenant of Her Majesty’s Ship the St Vincent

By virtue of the Power and Authority to us given We do hereby constitute and appoint you Lieutenant of Her Majesty’s Ship St Vincent Willing and requiring you forthwith to go on board and take upon you the Charge and Command of Lieutenant in her accordingly, Strictly Charging and Commanding all the Officers and Company belonging to the said ship subordinate to you to behave themselves jointly and severally in their respective Employments with all due Respect and Obedience unto you their said Lieutenant. And you likewise to observe and execute as well the General printed Instructions and such Orders and Directions you shall from time to time receive from your Captain or any other your superior Officers for Her Majesty’s service.

Hereof nor you nor any of you may fail as you will answer the contrary at your peril. And for so doing this shall be your Commission. Given under our hands and the Seal of the Office of Admiralty this First day of July 1858 in the Twenty Second Year of Her Majesty’s Reign.

Kearney and Young Family History