British Military Records: Difference between revisions

British Military Records (view source)

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 Seamen often moved between the navy and the merchant marines. Until 1853 enlistment was informal and lasted for the ship’s commission, usually three years. Individual "ratings" (seamen) were not mentioned in navy records other than musters or pay lists unless they deserted, misbehaved, or earned a medal. After 1853 seamen often made the navy their career. They were assigned continuous service numbers and records were maintained for the duration of their careers.
-'''Navy Officers.'''
+If your ancestor was in the navy after 1852, search the index to Continuous Service Engagement Books, or the Surname Index to the 1861 Census Returns of Ships. Before 1853 the source to use depends on what you know about your ancestor. If you know:
+*The name of a ship on which he served, search the ship musters, pay lists, and ship logs for the time period he should have been aboard
+*A port where your ancestor landed on a specific date, search the List Books, a geographically arranged list of ship locations at the Public Record Office (class ADM 8)
+*A battle or campaign in which his ship was involved, search the medal rolls
+*The name of an officer serving with your ancestor, search the Navy List for that officer’s ship
+'''Officers'''
 You can usually find navy officers in the Navy Lists (1782 to the present) or in the Index to Commission and Warrant Books (1695 to 1742). See the sub-heading of "Lists of Officers" in this section for details.