Genealogical Searches For HM Coastguard Ancestors
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has for many years offered a free genealogical search service tracing historical information on HM Coastguard Officers. Unfortunately this service has now been withdrawn due to administrative difficulties.
However there are a number of sources of information available to members of the public searching for information on HM Coastguard service.
All HM Coastguard information is available through the Public Record Office (also known as the National Archives) at Kew contact information is as follows:
Public Record Office
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9
4DU
Telephone Number 020 8876 3444
Fax Number 020 8392 5286
Website address www.pro.gov.uk
The Public Record Office offers an enquiry service which can be contacted on the following number:
Public Record Office Enquiry Number 020 8392 5200
or
Email address at enquiry@nationalarchives.gov.uk
The enquiry service will not undertake your searches for you but are able to offer advice on how to find information. If you wish to use this service you will be required to provide detailed information on the person you are trying to trace. There are charges associated with this service.
The Public Record Office website also offers extensive information on genealogical searches and how to start family history searches. It is also possible to visit the Public Record Office to undertake searches in person, this should be arranged with the Public Record Office directly.
Please note that the Public Record Office does not hold the following records:
Birth, marriage, death and adoption certificates
Parish
records
Wills after 1858
Second World War Military Service Records.
The Public Record Office website also contains a link to the family records website which can be found at:
This site maybe particularly useful for searching for HM Coastguard service, under the Military Records tab for service under the Admiralty.
There are numerous websites on the internet who hold extensive databases of family history information, any good search engine will produce thousands of hits, some of the more commonly used websites are listed below:-
It should be noted the Maritime and Coastguard Agency does not endorse the use of any of following websites or the information they contain neither does the Maritime and Coastguard Agency own or subscribe any information contained within these websites. Information about these websites is provided purely to aid individuals in their search for historical information on HM Coastguard ancestors.
Genealogy Websites
www.pro.gov.uk - Access to Archives - The 1901 Census on line, a UK government website, some information is available free, but more detailed information is charged for.
www.familyrecords.gov.uk - Another UK government website linked with the Public Record Office website, contains access on military records.
www.ffhs.org.uk - Federation of Family History Society, contains lots of hints and tips on searching
www.orgins.net - General website information
www.usgenweb.org - World Gen Web Project
www.ancestory.com - Mostly an American website but some European information available
www.rootsweb.com - Again an American website but with some useful tips for starting searches
www.familysearch.org - Another American website, but again a number of useful tips for beginners.
www.genealogy.org - US website with good searching tips, also contains a list of 100 other related websites to try. After a free trail period a charge will apply.
www.cyndislist.com - A large website with a number of links to other genealogy websites
www.genealogytoolbox.com - A US website with good starter tips and numerous associated links
Things To Consider When Searching For Information On Service With HM Coastguard
The Coastguard Service was officially established in 1822 to prevent smuggling, when the Revenue Cruisers, Riding Officers and Preventative Water Guard merged. Prior to this date employment in any of these activities was covered by the Customs so historical records will be held under those appropriate sections within the Public Record Office.
The Board of Customs continued to be in overall charge of the Coastguard until 1856 when the Admiralty Board took over. The Admiralty remained in overall charge of HM Coastguard until 1923 when the responsibility passed to the Board Trade. Since 1923 the Coastguard service has been successively administered by the following:
Board of Trade 1923 - 1939
Ministry of Shipping 1939
- 1940
Admiralty 1940 - 1945
Ministry of (War) Transport 1945 - 1964
Department
of Trade 1964 - 1983
Department of Transport 1983 - 1997
Department for
the Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR)/ Department for Transport Local Government and the
Regions (DTLR) 1997 - 2001
Department for Transport 2002 - to date
During its History HM Coastguard has been administered by a number of different Departments as the table above illustrates, unfortunately this means that records are scattered throughout the Public Record Office. There is also no single reference index for Coastguards, but careful researching can bring up significant details.
The Public Record Offices produces a leaflet which provides a considerable amount of information of where to look for HM Coastguard historical information within their indexing system. The leaflet also provides a potted history of HM Coastguard. A copy of this leaflet is available through the Public Record Office website.
A more detailed history of HM Coastguard is available from the MCA website