Fife seamen, early 19th century.

Mairi · Post by **Mairi** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:15 am

Might there be any records of Fife seamen in the early 1800s?

Andrew Annan, a seaman, no doubt sailed in and out of Fife ports. He may have been from Abbotshall as there was an Andrew listed there with a family and, calling at different ports, may have had offspring in different places!
On the other hand, he may have been single and met with an accident. Anyway he had a son, Andrew, born 1826/7 and brought up in St. Andrews by his mother, Euphemia, and grandparents, William and Isabell (Bell) Robertson. Father, Andrew Annan, is named on his death certificate.
I presume many seamen were hired and fired as necessary, no recording being possible. However an account of a shipwreck off St. Andrews did list the crew, those who survived and those who drowned. (Andrew Annan was not involved.) The names of the men may have been local knowledge/ given by the survivor. Perhaps they were on record.
I bought the MI index, pre-1855, for North -East Fife parishes but of seaman Andrew there is no sign.
Have I any chance of tracking Andrew Robertson Annan's father?
Mairi.

Hugh Stevely · Post by **Hugh Stevely** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:47 am

Hi Mairi,

Have you seen this link before i am sure some one will get back to you.

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UK19thCSeamen.html

Hugh.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:20 pm

Hi Mairi

Have you established that he was a 'seaman' or sailor rather than a 'fisherman'.
Fishermen often had a share in the ownership of the boats they crewed.
Seamen, on the other hand, could sign up as crew at various ports including places like Leith which was a busy port for long haul voyages.
There were regular ferry services across the Forth estuary from Fife to Leith and other ports and harbours.
So don't rule out the south side of the Forth as a place to search.

Russell

Mairi · Post by **Mairi** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:42 pm

Thank you Hugh and Russell.
Yes, Hugh, I have seen that link. There are records there which start in 1835. Will have to work out how to narrow my search.
Russell, 'seaman' is listed on his son's death certificate. Thank you for suggesting a wider search. Will try this side of the Forth and also Dundee. I think I have checked all Annan deaths in the mid 1800s but will double check as I may have concentrated on Fife, there being a cluster of Annans there.
This afternoon I came across the name of a publication, 'The Mariners of St. Andrews and East Neuk'. Will try to get a copy.
Again many thanks for the pointers.
Mairi