Mike, In Ancestry's 1911 census, *using Old Search mode,* you can set the Relationship field (drop-down) to Crew, but your man doesn't appear to be showing. Neither is he showing on FMP, where as part of Advanced mode you can restrict the search to Vessels. If he was at sea in 1911 in the Merchant Service (as opposed to the RN), I believe he won't be enumerated at all unless the vessel was *in a British port* on or shortly after the census date. Even if she was, the return may not have been submitted as it should have been, or may have been lost. In 1901, assuming your man is Henery William WEST aged 32 born Harwich (RG13/1700 fol 111), the vessel is not unknown but is named at the top of that page as 'Dresden'. Ancestry have managed to upload the vessel's description page in the middle of the return, on image 5 (of 7). She was a steamer, 496 tons, ON 105423, registered at Harwich and engaged in the home trade ( = UK coastal waters and north European ports). On census night (31 March) she was in the North Sea, at a point that appears to be about 25 miles off the Hook of Holland. The census schedule was submitted the next day (1 April) at Parkeston Quay in Harwich. Incidentally, the crew lists on Find My Past include details of a few voyages in 1891 for a Henry WEST who may be the same man. HTH Judy London, UK -----Original Message----- From: essex-uk-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:essex-uk-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Mike Fry I have a small problem, related to Essex (just), but directly related to searching Ancestry.co.uk. A WEST family lived in Harwich. Mother + kids are found at 44 Fernlea Rd, Harwich. Annie Elizabeth WEST gives her occupation as 'Husband at sea'. Given past experience with her husband (Henry William WEST), this comes as no surprise. How he ever found time to get a family, I don't know! He always seems to have been at sea! So. The question. How do I find this salty sea dog in the 1911 census when he's on an unknown vessel? My normal searching tricks have paid no dividend, and I've run out of ideas (short of browsing thousands of images) as to how to find him. What I know. Henry William WEST. Born towards the end of 1868 in Harwich. Married Annie Elizabeth LAMBERT around March 1894 in Harwich. What else is needed? In 1901 he was enumerated on an unknown vessel. Help! How do I find him?