Hello List, Does anyone know if there were regular sailings between Sunderland and any ports in Kent please around the 1820's. If so did the ships stop off at any other ports on the way? I have an ancestor who was a sailor/ mariner who married in Sunderland. His name was James Hammond. He married Ann Reay in Sunderland in 1823. I cannot find a birth for him. They had 2 children born in Sunderland. James born 1823 Abraham born 1825 He must have died between 1825 when their last son was born and 1833 when she got married again. I can find no death. I presume he may have died at sea or an accident at another port. Another family historian has come to the conclusion that he was born around the Rochester area of Kent. I am wondering if there was any connection between ports around there and Sunderland for him to have come up to the North East. Her father was a Master Mariner so there is a connection to the sea. I am at a loss with him, especially as sailors are hard to trace before 1835. Any ideas welcomed. Judy