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Sue
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 Posted -
03/04/2006
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18:59
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This is not where I would normally a post a question , but it is possible someone out there on the Internet Surf will read this and can help.
My grandfather was Wilfred Widdup brought up as Wilfred Widdup Marriott. He was born in 1896, and joined the Merchant Navy sometime around 1916 to 1923. About this time he disappeared from his home.
The story that I have been told is that he worked as a purser on either the P&O Line or White Star Line, on the routes out to New York. from Scandinavia and Southampton. Circa 1923 he was returning to his ship at Newcastle from his home in Burnley. He missed it and went to make the connection at Southampton. He never arrived..
I have tried to obtain his records at Kew, and at Southhampton Archive. In both caes only one Wilfred Marriott can be found, and it is not my grandfather. There is no record of a Wilfred Widdup.
So I wondered if anyone knew how else I may find out about this man, which ship he was on, and when he went missing. It may be that the facts that I have ben given are not quite correct, and mercahnt navy records may tell me somthing different
There is a photo of Wilfred Widdup on this site, in his uniform. I don't know if that is any help in identifying which shipping line he may have worked for. Perhaps someone knows a contact address for these companies so that Ican enqiure if Wilfred was employed by them
Any ideas would be gratefully received
Sue
If you keep searching you'll find it
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 04/04/2006 : 05:46
Sue, my dad's branch got to Oz because one of his ancestors was a steward and jumped ship in Darwin to go looking for gold. Might be a good idea to work on the assumption he jumped ship in NY and look from that end as well. he may not have changed his name but lots did.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk  |
Sue
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Posted - 04/04/2006 : 09:00
That is actually my theory Stanley, I thought he may have done that to look for his Dad, John Roberts Widdup. I am pretty certain he knew of his existence in America ( or Canada as it happens). I thought if I couold find the ships records I would know exactly when and where he went missing and work from there. I have lots of contacts out in the States and Canada looking for me for both people
Sue
Sue
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 04/04/2006 : 13:43
There are passenger lists I know but I know nothing about crew lists. If you find anything out let me know I'd be interested. Trade Union records? Museum of Labour History in Manchester might be able to give you a clue.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
pollyanna
New Member
45 Posts
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Posted - 04/04/2006 : 15:19
Sue. Have you tried Cyndi'slist?
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Sue
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Posted - 04/04/2006 : 17:59
Yes Stanley, there are crew lists. These are held at Kew and Southampton for Bristish ships, but perhaps he was on an American one, who knows?. I believe there are also lists at foreing ports as technically seaman were immigrants.
I have a book 'My Ancestor was a Merchant Seaman' which refers to all sorts of interesting sources, but you need to know
a) the name of the ship, or
b) destinations, or
c) The dates for sailing,or
d) The Seamans number.
I know none of these
Pollyanna, I have tried Cyndi's list, but found it most unhelpful. ( I usually do ) It lists or links to other sites, which list other sites, which take me back where I started ie Kew or Southampton, or a request for one of the four items listed above.
I have been on this one task for at least 6 years now and have made NO PROGRESS what so ever. Ask me to link Widdups all over the world, put them into families, state birth places, dates, wives, children, jobs, homes, etc. no problem , but find my own direct family, NO, its like looking for a needle in the ocean!!!!!
Sue
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Invernahaille
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Posted - 25/06/2006 : 02:37
You could try British Shipping and Manning records office in Cardiff.
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Invernahaille
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Posted - 25/06/2006 : 04:05
Registry of Shipping & Seamen
MCA Cardiff
Anchor Court, Ocean Way
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
TEL: 029 20448800
FAX: 029 20448820
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Sue
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Posted - 26/06/2006 : 07:14
Thank you, very much. I'll look into it. What sort of information do they keep, and is it worth visiting Cardiff, as my brother lives there
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Invernahaille
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Posted - 26/06/2006 : 15:47
They keep or have acces to all British Registered seamen. If you talk to them nicely they will bend over backwards to try and help you. As for visiting, its a working Maritime office and they are usually pretty busy with documenting and assisting revalidation for present day seamen. Like I say if you talk to them nicely they will work on it for you. It may take them some time because its not a prority.
Good Luck. Robert
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Sue
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Posted - 26/06/2006 : 17:42
That sounds to be just what I need there will be a delay before I can contact them but I will then be in touch
Thanks again
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Sue
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Posted - 06/08/2006 : 16:33
I have sent my letter Ivernahaille and will now sit and wait patiently with all fingers and toes crossed
Sue
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Sue
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Posted - 20/08/2006 : 14:25
Well I have had my reply and unfortunately Cardiff is unable to help me, has anyone any other ideas
Sue
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Sue
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Posted - 07/08/2011 : 10:51
I have transferred this item from 'Clearing out' in case anyone picks up the Wilfred link. I live in hope...
I have found boxes of letters in my Dads house. Letters from Mum to dad, and to her fiance who was killed in WW2. Also letters from dad to mum and his mum and his brothers. War letters between the brothers and Mum. A letter from my Dad to the family the day after Sheffield Blitz describing what happened. Letters from my grandma to her sisters, cousins , father and vice versa. So much history for me to read and write about
The biggest find has been three letters from my missing grandfather Wilfred Widdup Marriott who disappearded circa 1925-27. These letters are all dated London 1925. He describes his training as a clerk ( Purser) and goes on the give the dates and route of his first voyage. What a shame he never mentioned the name of the ship
He finishes his letter with ' Give my love to the kiddies. Love Father and 6 kisses, two for each of them it says in the letter.
In the letter he talks about moving to London and fetching the family down in the September holidays
A FIND yes, but how to take it further I do not know at this stage
If you keep searching you'll find it |
Sue
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Posted - 07/08/2011 : 11:01
Oh yes the route and dates are as follows
July 18th -August 27th 1925: West Indies, Panama and the Caribean
Then the same, he thought, starting mid septemebr and being away 6 weeks.
If you keep searching you'll find it |
wendyf
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Posted - 07/08/2011 : 11:31
Got an idea for you Sue though you may have already done this. The Times had all the sailings advertised. Have a look for the right dates and you may be able to find the right ship.
You can get access to their digital archive for free with a Lancashire Libraries card.
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Merchant Navy Records
