RN recruitment records, 1830s?

[yelkcub]

As a newcomer to the field of Naval records, I would value some advice:
I have an ancestor who was made a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1837 and appointed to HMS Wellesley in Jan 1840, before the Wellesley sailed for China where she saw active service and was the venue, off Chusan, of a conference between the English and Chinese adversaries.
My ancestor was the illegitimate son of a member of the nobility, and I suspect his father arranged his naval commission. My question is - are there RN recruitment records for the 1830s, likely to throw any light on my ancestor's entry into the service?
All advice and comments gratefully received
Ian

[Geoffers]

There are sources of informaion to help, they are not likely to identify his father.

Have a browse of The National Archives (TNA) research guides; in particular this one:
Royal Navy: Officers' Service Records (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=287)

You may find mention of promotions in the London Gazette (http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/index.htm)

You mention everything but your chap's name so I cannot search for you - however, it is worth a search of TNA's catalogue (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp)(It's free to search) in case there is mention of him.

In the word or series field, enter a surname
Leave the year range blank
In the department or series code, enter ADM

If you find a likely match, you can order the document (for a fee) online

[yelkcub]

As I wrote in reply to your message in the other (related) thread - your suggestions are most helpfu. I have already built up quite a picture of Charles Douglas's naval career, dates of promotions, postings from the London Gazette and from the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle of Portsmouth. Douglas was Charles's father's name (according to Charles's marriage cert), so clearly he entered the navy using this surname. I would be rather surprised, however, if he was christened under that name, being the illegitimate son of a Marquis. As you write, the naval records of Kew should have his date and place of birth, which should lead me to his mother's name.
Thanks again for valuable advice
Ian