Hi
If anyone has a merchant seaman after 1913 this is the information from Southampton
Archive Services
A central index of Merchant seamen was introduced in October 1913,and continued in use
until 1941. The index takes the form of a number of card indexes, containing in total
over a million and a quarter cards. There are 4 main series of index cards held here, two
arranged alphabetically and two arranged by the number of the individual's discharge
book.
1. CRI Series
This is the main series of alphabetically arranged cards. It covers 1913-1941, although
the majority of the pre 1921 cards of seamen no longer in service were weeded out and
destroyed during the 1960's.
At this time I do not have an email address for them. When I contacted them I had to send
a cheque for £5 for the search fee, searchiing 3 people of the same name.
postal address:
Southampton Archive Services
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LY
When I found the information I was able to find out which ship he had served on from the
number given on his identity card, which I had to contact
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Details were:
Official No of Ship 143563
Name of Ship : Watkin
Tonnage: 447
Steam/Sail: Steam
Port of Reg: Southampton
Date of Reg: 28.4.1920
hope this may assist someone........
Pauline