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Archiver > Mariners > 1999-10 > 0940160333


From: "Debbie Beavis" <> (by way of Ted Finch <>
Subject: [Mar] Royal Navy Ratings
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 12:38:53 +0100


TRACING ROYAL NAVY RATINGS

Debbie Beavis

Before 1853, unless you already know the name of a ship on which a
rating was serving, there is no simple way to trace the service of a RN
rating. Until 1853 ratings moved frequently between Royal and Merchant
navy ships and it is always worth checking merchant navy records also.

In 1853 a system of continuous service (CS) was introduced and from this
date forwards, service records for ratings can be the key to a valuable
source of flesh-on-the-bones information about a seaman ancestor, often
allowing a researcher to compile a highly accurate record of the life of
a
man at sea

The first series of CS records are held in class ADM139. These record
the engagements signed by ratings on first entry (or re-entry for those
with earlier service) from 1853 to 1873.

The second series of CS records are held in class ADM188. These record
ratings who enlisted from 1873 to 1923. The series is indexed.

There are no records held at Kew or open to any form of public
inspection of ratings who entered from 1928 onwards. For records of RN
ratings who served between 1892 and 1938, contact the Ministry of
Defence, CS ® 2A, Room 17, Bourne Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1RF. For
service after 1938 contact PP1 A1, HMS Centurion, Grange Road, Gosport,
Hampshire PO13 9XA.

Once you have obtained names of ships on which a RN rating was serving,
research in the series of Musters and Ships' Logs will provide much
background information.

These records may only be seen at the Public Record Office, Ruskin
Avenue, Kew. This is a brief overview of RN rating records. You may wish
to view the onliine leaflets at the PRO's website at
http://www.pro.gov.uk to find out more.

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