GLSHIPS-L Archives

Archiver > GLSHIPS > 1998-05 > 0894241494


From: "Kathleen Atwood" <>
Subject: [GLSHIPS-L] Lost captains
Date: Sun, 03 May 98 17:24:54 PDT


I would like suggestion on how to find information on an ancestor who apparently sailed the Great Lakes. I am trying to find a register of some sort that would connect him up with the name of a vessel. Most museum records are indexed according to the ship name. I understand from family tradition that there may be a "story" in connection with his death/disappearance.

Here is what I know:

Capt. Nicholas Atwood was born in Uckfield, Sussex, England in 1833. He sailed first as a cabin boy in 1848 out of London. He emigrated to the US in the early 1850s. He married Julia Sutton (b. Ohio 1832) shortly thereafter. He was naturalized in Detroit, Michigan in 1858. His four children, Avis, Elizabeth, Nicholas Jr., and George Samuel, were born by 1861. The 1861 census lists him as residing at 221 Park St., Detroit with his family, occupation: "sailor". The City of Detroit directories also list him at that address up until the 1866 directory, which lists "Atwood, Mrs. Julia, [wid Nicholas] 221 Park St."

Family tradition had it he died at sea, but no one knows the details, except that the older ones (now past) didn't really want to talk about him. A painting (whereabouts unknown) is remembered, but not the ship's name. Julia lived at the above address until her death in 1891 and never remarried. There is no memorial stone in the family cemetery plot, although several generations of the family are buried there.

I would appreciate any info or suggestions on this ancestor, or where I could find shipping records on him.

Also, an acquaintance would like to find info on these two vessel captains in her ancestry:
Charles H. Woodgrift (sailor in 1889 to captain-Detroit & Windsor Ferry Co., 1928) and Charles W. Woodgrift (vessel captain).

Many, many thanks to all in advance for whatever info or suggestions provided. I anxiously look forward to hearing from you.

Kathy Atwood

This thread: