Royal Navy???

[spicyting]

i've received parish records relating to baptisms, stating that John Main (father) was on board man of war at time of the event, which was 5th June, 1836. Am i right in presuming that he was indeed in the Royal Navy rather than the merchant which is what I've been searching for upto now!! Ive had a look on the NA and only located alternate Johns', but i may not of searched all relative archives for him, could anyone inform me as to whether there is likely to be any documents on him, and if so what other sites/forums that may be useful in my search. John Main/Mains/Maine was born c1790 in the Devon area, and his family where residing in Plymstock in 1836. With thanks, Paul

[Geoffers]

If he was RN, he should turn up amongst the indexed Admiralty records on TNA's catalogue http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/default.asp
Enter a name in the word or phrase field and in the department or Series code, enter ADM29. Look for any hits covering service in 1836. There is one.

Assuming this chap had children and you have a marriage certificate for one of them, does this confirm the father's name and occupation?

Geoffers