In 1966 the National Archives in London [Public Record Office] took the decision to discard part of the “Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, the Agreements and Account of Crew and Official Logbooks” for British Empire vessels from 1861 to 1913. Gary Gentile. Because of the bad start to the war for Britain, where France became occupied early on, Canada became Britain’s main ally during the first year. Born: Barry, Glamorgan, Wales on 30 March 1902. Military medals, honours and awards from 1812 to 1969. This collection includes Merchant Navy Seamen records held at The National Archives. These are records of seamen serving on British registered vessels but the seamen themselves need not have been British to appear in the records. Any significant interruption of the shipping lanes across the North Atlantic would have made likely a British defeat at German hands. Start your search for a long lost relative today! On the results page click Advanced Search on the right hand side, 3. 58,000 soldiers enlisted in the first month alone, and by December troops were already heading over to Britain. Maritime History Archive holds many records relating to the Canadian and British merchant marine, including: When researching a merchant mariner, keep in mind that many Canadians worked on British and American registered vessels. Trinity House was established in 1805 for the regulation of pilots, navigation and shipping on the St. Lawrence River. Wartime records for the Merchant Navy, 1939-1947 and 1951-1953, are held by: Merchant Navy Registry Veterans Affairs Canada PO Box 7700 Charlottetown, PEI C1A 8M9 Tel. The Royal Canadian Navy’s contribution to this effort is well documented in the collection of Library and Archives Canada. He lived in Montreal after the war. Some references to file titles can be identified using Collection Search. The volume and an index of names start on, Surname index to Ships and Seafarers of Atlantic Canada CD, British Columbia Archives: Merchant Marine Agreements and Accounts of Crews, searchable on. WorldVitalRecords.com : A collection of everything from personal information to tombstone photos. Instructions and an online form can be found on their website:
Canadian Merchant Navy War Dead Registry: And index of merchant sailors and their ships. The Canadian Naval Chronicle, 1939-1945. Records in the Canadian military collections relate to British Army service in Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries, First World War attestation papers as well as casualty, burial and commemoration information, honours and awards from the South African War, 1899-1902 to the 1960s, Militia pay lists and nominal rolls, 1857 to 1922 and much more. 1. Crew lists and logbooks. Find Canadian Military Records and Service History with Forces War Records Canada . In fact, early information gathered by British intelligence agents about German ship movements led Canada to conscript all merchant ships two weeks before the war actually began. They include details such as date of examination, certificate number, address, date and place of birth, etc. A partial name index is available on the following websites: Library and Archives Canada (LAC) holds copies of those registers on microfilm reels from A-1838 to A-1897. See MIKAN 27563 for a more detailed description of the records. The Canadian Merchant Navy was comprised of men and women tasked with the difficult job of faring vital equipment, supplies, and soldiers to Europe and the rest of the world. See our Access the records page for options. How to access Library and Archives Canada records, Peacetime records from 1948 to the present, Registers of Marine Certificates, 1871 to 1971, Lloyds of London Captains Registers and related sources, Research Guide 50, How to submit an ATIP request to Veterans Affairs Canada, Seafarers' Registry, Contributions and Marine Emergency Duties (MED) Divestiture Programs, Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston: Ship lists, Maritime History Archives (Dalhousie University), Maritime Museum of British Columbia: Library and Archives, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: Niels Jannasch Library, Naval Marine Archive: The Canadian Collection, Trinity House: List of pilots with age and residence, 1873, Veterans Affairs Canada: Second World War: The Merchant Navy, Crew Lists of the British Merchant Navy 1915, FamilySearch: United Kingdom, Merchant Navy Seamen Records, 1835-1941, National Archives (U.K.) Merchant Navy Research Guides, National Maritime Museum: Research Guides, National Museums Liverpool, Maritime Archives and Library: Information Sheet â Tracing Seafaring Ancestors in the Merchant Navy, Southampton Archives: Central index of Merchant Seamen, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Mystic Seaport: Collections Research Center: Databases, National Archives (U.S.A.): Maritime records, Directory of names, pennant numbers, and addresses of all members of the Ship Masters' Association of the Great Lakes, 1920, "Trinity House" "pilot" "Germain Marquis", St. Lawrence river pilots' certificates, 1762 to 1840 (RG42 A-1-a, volumes 1 to 6), Trinity House pilots' certificates, Montréal, 1832 (RG42 A-2, volume 8), Marine certificates (RG42 C-4, volume 722), Liste des pilotes nommés par la Maison de la Trinité, Québec, 1805-1846 (volume 5, pages 1 to 53), List of licensed pilots with age and place of residence, 1802 (volume 1, pages 56 to 59), 1805 to 1838, volume 1, microfilm C-3950. 1. Royal Canadian Navy, 1910–1919, 1939–1945, and the Merchant Navy, 1939–1945 Introduction Prior to the creation of a Canadian navy, Britain’s Royal Navy was responsible for the military defence of Canada’s waters. Crew lists, originally termed muster-rolls or muster-books, began in the 18th century and were initially kept in order to collect a levy from seamen's wages for a relief fund, and as a record of the names, ratings, dates of entry and final discharge for all men serving on board a ship. You can find out whether a me… The medals were claimed and issued from 1946 to 2002. Those reels must be consulted on site. Records of merchant seafarers who served in the Canadian Merchant Navy between 1939 and 1947, and between 1950 and 1953 continue to be maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada. The contents of each sub-series are listed in finding aids, some of which are only available on site in paper format. Additional registers are available for masters, mates and steam engineers. Other keywords to try are ship logs and/or crew lists. Under Military Information Add Branch of Service. There were over a hundred Merchant Navy Veterans, not including their wives and … For records after 1983, Transport Canada explains that the responsibility for maintaining seafarer records has shifted to the seafarers and the authorized representatives. The records are not available online. For a brief history of Trinity House, see
Search over 8 million records including Canadian Military Records exclusive to Forces War Records Canada, to search for your family member’s military history. By war’s end, 410 merchant ships had been built in Canada. Mo… "Canadian Merchant Ships Lost or Damaged by Enemy Action during Second World War, 1939-1945" Robert Darlington and Fraser McKee. Access the records. Canada, like several other Commonwealth nations, created its own Merchant Navy in a large-scale effort during World War II. Royal Navy service records 1853-1928 U.K. records of Canadian-born soldiers who enlisted in the Royal Navy between 1853 and 1928. Registers of Marine Certificates, 1871 to 1971. He continued to serve in the British Merchant Navy in WW2. Ships and sailors have been associated with Canada since the time of European contact. A Canadian Merchant Navy Veteran of the Korean War is: any person who at any time during the period from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, served on board a Canadian ship in any of the waters, including gulfs, bays and inlets, lying between Personnel Records Unit Library and Archives Canada 395 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON3 FAX # 613-947-8456 . It was known right from the beginning that Canada's merchant ships would have an important role to play in the war effort. The response was enthusiastic. For more information, check out the descriptions for the nine lower-level files that are part of this series. During wartime, it was known as the Merchant Navy. Mr. Bastien first came to Canada in 1927. This collection includes: The records are not indexed and not available online. There are no employment files. If you find a reference, please see our Access the records page to find out what options are available. The
Instructions and an online form can be found on their website: How to submit an ATIP request to Veterans Affairs Canada. Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association Annual General Meeting (2005) In early September 2005, Halifax, N.S., singer and songwriter Nathan MacDonald, and Stphane Ouellette Executive Director, MNCTP, were invited to attend the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans Association (CMNVA) Annual General Meeting.. Despite the fact that merchant crews were not compelled to sail on the dangerous ocean passages, most indeed did. These records consist of crew lists, articles of agreement and ships' logs. Royal Navy: Officers and Other Ranks: Rescue Tug Service: Foreign Awards: Royal Canadian Navy: Features: United States Navy: The First Naval Draft November 27, 1939: Royal Artillery 57th Heavy Regiment R.A. St. Catharines: Vanwell Publishing, 1996. However, more than 1,600 Canadian and Newfoundland men and women—perhaps as many as 2,000—lost their lives due to enemy action of the approximately 12,000 that served in the Merchant Navy; a higher rate than any of the armed services—about one in eight. Personnel records available to the public are now held by The National Archives (TNA), formerly known as the Public Record Office, the website has helpful research guides. Library and Archives Canada holds an extensive collection of records of the Canadian men and women who have served their country in the military and in the early years of the North West Mounted Police. On August 26, 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) took control of all shipping. For a description of the collection, see Central Registry of Seamen (Item 133876). See Lloyds of London Captains Registers and related sources, Research Guide 50. To trace a mariner before the Second World War, you must know the name of the vessel on which the person served so that you can locate and search relevant articles of agreements and ships' logs, which usually include crew lists. If you cannot find a reference to a particular ship and year in Collection Search, you can request assistance on our Ask us a question form. Start your search using the box at the top of the page, 2. Many of those old publications are digitized online. You can visit LAC in person or hire a local researcher to search them for you. What types of records can I search for via the Add Branch of Service filter. Wartime records for the Merchant Navy, 1939 to 1947 and 1951 to 1953, are held by: Merchant Navy Registry Veterans Affairs Canada
Access the records page for available options. Despite the fact that merchant crews were not compelled to sail on the dangerous ocean passages, most indeed did. Re: Merchant Navy seamans records Medal file available BT 395/1/94290 "Across the seas where the great waves grow, there are no fields for the poppies to grow, but its a place where Seamen sleep, died for their country, for you and for peace" (Billy McGee 2011) The service files of approximately 44,000 men and women who died while serving in these forces from 1939 to 1947 are open to the public. The contents of the records vary, but they usually include name, age, place of birth, register ticket, ship names, and dates of voyages. Google search using quotation marks around search phrases. If you find a reference, see our
The records are digitized: For records that are not digitized, see our
He joined the Merchant Navy and became an Engineering Officer. Those who served in the Coast Guard were employees of the federal government. By selecting Branch of Service you can filter results by:-, Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army, Canadian Corps, Canadian Force, Canadian Forces, Canadian Horse, Canadian Merchant Navy, Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force Nursing Service, Royal Canadian Air Force Womens Division, Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, Womens Royal Canadian Naval Service, A History of Canadian Soldiers in World War 1, A History of Canadian Soldiers in World War 2. Pilots are experienced mariners with knowledge of local waters. These records come from The National Archives' record series BT112, BT113, BT114, BT115, BT116, BT119 and BT120. A Branch Pilot was a pilot who had a branch (commission) for special navigation. Recognizing the importance of a strong merchant navy, the British government sought volunteers from Newfoundland and Labrador soon after hostilities broke out. Wh… Maison de la Trinité de Québec (in French only). To honor the sacrifice made by merchant seamen during the First World War, in 1923, King George V granted the title of "Merchant Navy" to the service. See above for the Central Registry of Seamen. The first Canadian casualty—and merchant casualty—was a woman. The Merchant Marine consisted of individuals who served as crew members aboard merchant ships. Navy service files from 1910 to 1941. Britain relied on imports from North America for its war effort. See our Public service personnel records page. Try a
Merchant Navy Service Records The records for Merchant Navy personnel are essentially divided into two main sections namely officers and seamen. "This is a letter to your request received on January 6, 2016 for Merchant Navy records. Requests should be submitted through Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) at Veterans Affairs Canada. The volume starts on, 1838 to 1867, volume 2, microfilm C-3950. They are regulated by various Pilotage Authorities. See
These registers list the marine certificates issued to officers (masters, mates and marine engineers). An informal merchant navy appeared in 1914 at the start of World War I and was renamed Canadian Government Merchant Marine in 1918, but slowly disappeared by 1930. British Merchant Navy ‘SS Bowman ’ - Awarded as per London Gazette of 04 January 1943. Records of the merchant marine used to be maintained by the Central Registry of Seafarers at Transport Canada. Canada, Royal Canadian Navy, Office of the Naval Historian. Crew members of merchant vessels signed contracts, called articles of agreement, with the master of the vessel. This collection of records, BT 395, lists the medals awarded to merchant seamen for their service in the Second World War (1939-1945), with the exception of the Arctic Star. The First Four Hundred, Royal Artillery, April … That registry no longer exists. The originals were held at the Guildhall Library in London, England, but are now at the London Metropolitan Archives. If you are looking for your own records, see Peacetime records from 1948 onwards. Merchant Marine Canadian Coast Guard Transport Canada 344 Slater Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON7: Military Service Information: Application Form For information about the changes and where seafarers can obtain their own records, see Seafarers' Registry, Contributions and Marine Emergency Duties (MED) Divestiture Programs. They meet and board vessels to guide them safely through harbours and other difficult waterways. The registers list details such as name, place and year of birth, certificate date and number, ship name and number, etc. Enter the keywords RG12, articles of agreement, and the name of the ship. Before a search through Veterans Affairs Canada files can be performed, additional information such as the Veteran's name, service number and or a date of birth is required. Home Holdings and Collections Shipping Records Crew lists and logbooks. These registers were compiled from the record of Certificates of Competency issued to masters and mates by the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen in England. Our records have been transcribed and enciphered by handwriting experts, and we also offer expert help and knowledge through our customer support team. Before 1871, Canadian masters and mates were certified by British authorities, so their names are included in these records. Names of all Merchant Navy seamen killed in Canada’s wars, searchable by name or vessel. The following comments relate to researching Merchant Naval personnel and are not entirely comprehensive as they are a summary of the available material. The Silver War Badge was awarded to merchant seamen who were no longer fit for sea service as a result of sickness contracted, or wounds received during the war, either at home or overseas. How to submit an ATIP request to Veterans Affairs Canada. Alongside the hundreds of sailors already serving on commercial vessels, thousands more volunteered after the call went out. Using our easy to use search you can find Canadian and Commonwealth military service records enabling you to search for family members to complete your family tree. When the war began, Canada had 38 ocean-going merchant vessels. For details of the Arctic Star see our guide to Merchant seaman’s medals and honours. Collection Search. Wartime records for the Merchant Navy, 1939 to 1947 and 1951 to 1953, are held by: Merchant Navy Registry Veterans Affairs Canada PO Box 7700 Charlottetown, PE C1A 8M9 Requests should be submitted through Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) at Veterans Affairs Canada. The records themselves are not online. This is a guide to locating records of merchant seamen in service since the end of the First World War, including records from the Second World War, and up to the last decades of the 20th century. LAC is also the repository for all Second World War personnel files of the Canadian Active Service Force (Overseas Canadian Army), Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force. See
It comprises the Pacific Fleet at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, and the Atlantic Fleet at CFB Halifax. Some suggestions and references for further research are provided below. Names of pilots were often mentioned in published government reports. This fonds includes two volumes of copies of certificates issued to Branch Pilots, 1838 to 1867. Those records (crew lists, ships' logs and articles of agreement, 1948 to 1983) were transferred to LAC. By 1878, only 11 years after Confederation, Canada was the fourth largest ship-owning nation in the worl… Under Personal Information Add Nationality, 4. Examples: For these RG42 series, the documents are indexed by name in
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is tasked to provide maritime security along the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts of Canada, exercise Canada's sovereignty over the Arctic archipelago, and support Canada's multi-national and bilateral interests overseas. On August 26, 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) took control of all shipping. Records about the internment camps Canada used during the First and Second World War. Enter the keywords RG42, a name and the word pilot. Access the records page for options. : 1-866 522 2122 Fax: 1-902-368-0564 And The vast forests of pre-Confederation Canada initially provided lumber to build French and British vessels, but by the early 19th century a small home-grown shipbuildingindustry expanded rapidly, turning out a steady supply of sturdy wooden vessels. Medals were not automatically issued, but had to be claimed by the merchant seaman. 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