Genealogy Chat

By extraordinary chance, I have discovered that a possible rellie of mine, James Holden, seaman, had his arm amputated just after Admiral Nelson had HIS arm amputated, on the date above.(From the clearly dated Surgeon's Journal) I have googled for HM Theseus, however it does not say when Nelson was injured and appears to give dates of battle in 1798 - is this a mistake? And what are the chances of there being a Crew List anywhere? I would appreciate a short-cut to any useful site. Thanks Marjorie

Hi Marjorie Have you tried the National Archives website? There are masses of naval documents for the Trafalgar period: I've been having a wonderful time recently chasing my ancestor's ships. Not sure how much survives pre 1800. There are some brilliant naval websites around and the Times website can lead you to contemporary newspaper reports - biased, of course, but fascinating reading.

Marjorie - If National Archives hold this ship's records for that year then I can access it when I return to Kew in August.I am trying to track down a rellie of mine so I would welcome a look at any ship Nelson was on as there is a suggested connection. Jan

Thankyou Brenda, I was really hoping to avoid the TNA site as it terrifies me! However, I will give it a go. Janice Thankyou for your very kind offer, I will get back to you when I know more. Marjorie

Sigh, you really have hit the jackpot, Marjorie: ADM 101/123/2 Theseus. Includes report of Admiral Nelson's injuries at Tenerife 1797-1798 ADM 35/1856 Ship: Theseus 1796 Sept. 1 - 1800 Dec. 16 ADM 51/1221 THESEUS 1797 May 27 - 1798 May 26 ADM 51/1170 THESEUS 1796 May 5 - 1797 Feb 6 ADM 51/1173 THESEUS 1797 Feb 8 - 1797 May 26 ADM 52/2993 Theseus 1797 May 27 - 1797 Aug 10 ADM 36/12647 Ship: THESEUS 1796 Sep - 1797 Feb ADM 36/12648 Ship: THESEUS 1797 Feb - Sep ADM 36/12649 Ship: THESEUS 1797 Oct - There are ship's musters, paylists, master's log, captain's log: anything else you want?!!!!!

Message for Brenda. Sorry to butt in but I am looking for a crew member on Le Tonnant, which was a french ship captured by Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. I have been given a National Archives ref of ADM 36/16232 for the Ships Muster 1805-1806, when I know my ancestor was a crew man. Do you know any other info that would lead me to get his birth date and place of birth. Thanks

Hi Jan A couple of days getting my hands dirty on the records doesn't make me an expert. The ships' musters and pay lists give the men a unique number for that voyage. They should also state age and place of birth. This can be a bit iffy. My man's age seems to have varied more than it should have done, while birth place isn't stated in every case. There isn't continuous service at this period, so you can't track the men from ship to ship, though officers, if they lived long enough! had to provide details of their careers, which was invaluable in tracking my man.

I doubt whether my ancestor would be an officer!! I will apply for the ADM from Kew and will keep everything crossed.

Brenda Teehee, what's the betting though, he turns out to be one of those NOT MINE Holdens! But I cannot resist finding out so thankyou VERY much for that nice list - Tenerife eh? How common. And actually, if you could find out who his parents were, that would be very nice too..... Thanks again Marjorie

You really do want it on toast, don't you, Marjorie! Now, my ancestor became a lieutenant. The family fibbed, and said he was an admiral, but lieutenant was just as good, because he had to prove his age, which he did by producing a copy of his baptism.

Does noone here use the Navy List? Mainly for Officers but of good use. I use it to trace my officer ancestors. Even traced Nelson once out of sheer boredom lol