Shipmaster

Occupations and the like.

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slighthouse
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Shipmaster

Post by slighthouse » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:52 pm

Good Morning,

I am transcribing some death and marriage registers this morning and have come across the same entry and not sure what it means.

I have two George Fenders that were Shipmasters and a James Beat that was a Shipmaster. (so far in my research)

The question:

On the death registry for Jane Beat Fender (1898), her deceased husband and father are documented as "Shipmaster \M.S./". What does that \M.S./ mean?

And when I am ready to see if there is any documentation about them, where do I look for Shipmasters?

Thank you!
Wishing all a wonderful day.
Sharon Lighthouse

Fender, Alexander, Watts, Beat/Beall, Spalding, Anderson - Dundee

Duncan - The story, 3 Duncan brothers left Scotland to Yancey County, N Carolina. George W Duncan, it is assumed his father is John Duncan, perhaps 1 of the 3 brothers.

emanday
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by emanday » Sat Mar 06, 2010 7:24 pm

I'm not sure about the \M.S./ bit, but I have a few Shipmasters in my extended family.

On the censuses, only two of them actually went to sea as a skipper (Master) while the other three were actually ship builders/owners. In every census they were on land. Maybe they went to sea between censuses - who knows?
[b]Mary[/b]
A cat leaves pawprints on your heart
McDonald or MacDonald (some couldn't make up their mind!), Bonner, Crichton, McKillop, Campbell, Cameron, Gitrig (+other spellings), Clark, Sloan, Stewart, McCutcheon, Ireland (the surname)

LesleyB
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by LesleyB » Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:04 pm

Hi
On the death registry for Jane Beat Fender (1898), her deceased husband and father are documented as "Shipmaster \M.S./". What does that \M.S./ mean?
Is this on a post 1855 Scottish death entry?
Could it stand for Merchant Ship or Shipping (as opposed to RN, Royal Navy?)

Best wishes
Lesley

StewL
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by StewL » Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:46 am

I was thinking maybe MS was for Motorised Steamer or something like that.
Stewie

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slighthouse
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by slighthouse » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:27 am

Yes, she died in 1898 and both her husband and father were deceased by then too but it could mean Merchant Ship I suppose or Motorized steamer. I just found it odd it was written for both of the men and they are both deceased.

I am totally clueless when it comes to anything seafaring other than I like to travel on water, haha.
Sharon Lighthouse

Fender, Alexander, Watts, Beat/Beall, Spalding, Anderson - Dundee

Duncan - The story, 3 Duncan brothers left Scotland to Yancey County, N Carolina. George W Duncan, it is assumed his father is John Duncan, perhaps 1 of the 3 brothers.

nelmit
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by nelmit » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:33 am

My understanding is Merchant Service. As for researching I think it would depend on what era and where they came from.

Regards,
Annette

LesleyB
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by LesleyB » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:39 am

Of course, :roll: your understanding makes perfect sense Annette. Silly me...I just could not think of a word beginning with the letter S to do with merchant shipping other than ...ship!! :lol:

For info on available documents Sharon, see:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/reco ... lp=rg-3158
and
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/reco ... lp=rg-3179
and info about Officers at:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/reco ... ntnavy.htm

Best wishes
Lesley

slighthouse
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by slighthouse » Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:16 am

Gosh, I would have never come up with Merchant Service.

Thank you so very much for all of the helpful posts!
Sharon Lighthouse

Fender, Alexander, Watts, Beat/Beall, Spalding, Anderson - Dundee

Duncan - The story, 3 Duncan brothers left Scotland to Yancey County, N Carolina. George W Duncan, it is assumed his father is John Duncan, perhaps 1 of the 3 brothers.

Ann In the UK
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by Ann In the UK » Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:12 am

Yep, it's Merchant Service.

Ann

Currie
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Re: Shipmaster

Post by Currie » Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:35 am

Sometimes the incomplete Indexes to Lloyd's Captains Registers can be useful.
http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capintro.htm

Alan

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