Useful Sources

Within the UK there is a wealth of information resources on naval and maritime history. Below are a number of reference sources, which aim to help you begin your navigation of the subject.

They have been grouped into the following topics:

Personnel records, Ship records, Merchant Navy, General sources, Archives and Foreign sources

Personnel

Please note: the Royal Naval Museum does not hold any official service records within their collection. All official service records are available via the following resources. A list of published genealogical sources for researching naval officers can be found on our information sheet

Naval Biographical Database - www.navylist.org.

This is an on-going private enterprise. Information is gathered from a variety of primary sources and currently covers the period 1660- 1800s on Flag Officers, Captains, Warrant Officers and Yard Officers. A search facility and further information on current coverage and cost is available on the website.

Service records

Ratings Pre 1924, WRNS WW1 records, Officers 1756-1917 and all ship records: National Archives (PRO) Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU Tel: 020 8876 3444 www.nationalarchives.gov.uk (Documents online: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/navy.asp

Ratings 1924-72, Officers 1906-1982, WRNS 1939-1955, Reservists WW2 : Director of Naval Personnel, Navy Search, TNT Records Management, PO Box 7814, Tenton Point, William Nadin Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 1EG Tel: 01283 227912 or 227913 email: navysearchpgrc@tnt.co.uk

Ratings Post 1939, WRNS Post 1956:: NSFOICC CINCFLEET Main Point G1, Leach Building, Whale Island, Portsmouth PO2 8BY Tel: 023 9272 5086

Officers aged under 60 & still serving/retired: Officers’ Mobilisation Division, Room 171, Victory Building, HM Naval Base Portsmouth PO1 3LS

Medal entitlements: available only to next of kin on written request.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA)
(Joint Personnel Administration Centre) MoD Medal Office Building 250 Imjin Barracks Gloucester GL3 1HW

E-mail: Medals@SPVA.mod.uk

(For information on how to understand medals why not visit the Navy's People section on the Sea Your History website?)

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Ship Records

National Archives www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Naval Biographical Database - www.navylist.org.

Merchant Navy

Registry of Shipping and Seamen. MCA Cardiff, Anchor Court, Ocean Way Cardiff CF24 5JW