Seaman - not on census

[emmabines]

I have a relative called Charles Moore. He is listed on the 1841 census as C Moore but then he disappears. I can't find his death or anything.

He is listed on my gg.grandmother's marriage certificate as a seaman. So went on National Archives but there are loads of Charles Moores. HELP! Any ideas much appreciated!

[Wirral]

It might be useful if you give us all the details from the census & the marriage certificate. For instance, what is date of birth, according to the census? Where was he in the census? Was he born in that county? What is the name of his daughter? Where did she marry & to whom? When was she born? Do you know any other relations.

[Peter Goodey]

I wouldn't expect to find him catalogued by name.

Try reading this:-

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=127

With those dates, you may struck lucky and find him in one of the registers covering dates up to 1857. They appear to be relatively easy to search although I've never personally had cause to try.

[emmabines]

He's year of birth was 1816 (rounded by 5 years for 1841 census). No area of birth but they were living in Dorset. His daughter's name is Mary Moore she married George Broughton in 1851. They married in Portsea, Southampton. Mary was born around 1837 in Poole, Dorset.
Other relatives listed on 1841 census are wife Jane, children Elizabeth (born 1838) & Charles (born 1841). Wife Jane was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Children all born in the Weymouth area of Dorset.

On 1851 census other children include William (1844).

[susan-w]

Was his wife still listed as married in 1861?

You can search the 1861 census for "seaman" in the "head of household" field.

There is a Charles Moore, born "Fairham" (Fareham?), but he's aged 37. This would give his date of birth as 1826 in the 1841 census (allowing for rounding down), so is ten years out. But maybe worth a look?

Cheers
Sue

[emmabines]

Yes she is still listed as married. She is listed as a visitor with Mary & George Broughton

[Geoffers]

Is there any indication as to whether he was a Merchant seaman, or in the RN? (e.g. from children's birth certificates).

What have you searched in TNA?

If he was a merchant seaman and you cannot find a death, possibly he died at sea? In which case there may be useful information in the registers (in BT153) maintained under the Seamen's Fund Winding-up Act 1851. The registers are indexed in BT154 and BT155.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1854 required registers to be compiled of deaths at sea, with a further act of 1874, and all these records are in BT158-160. All these BT records continue up tro about 1890-ish.

Geoffers

[emmabines]

Not got Mary's birth certificate as she was pre 1837. On her marriage certificate it says "seaman", on the 1841 census it says "mariner"

[Geoffers]

Not got Mary's birth certificate as she was pre 1837. On her marriage certificate it says "seaman", on the 1841 census it says "mariner"Fair enough, but there are the other children you mention born post-1837 - possibly either try the parish register where they were born to see if that gives any clue, or look for birth certificates. Other than that, it's the link Peter gave to Merchant Navy registers of service.

Geoffers