Dear List, This is my first foray onto the list, and I am hoping that you will be able to offer some advice to a novice maritime researcher. My ancestor, William Edmund (sometimes Edmond) HILL, claims to have been a "Master Mariner" in the first half of the 19th Century. This appears on his children's baptism entries and on his will. He seems to have died sometime between January 1832 (when his will was written), and March 1840 (when his will was proved). I have two questions: Firstly, in general, where can I look to find more details? There appears to be masses of records after 1845 / 1851, but very little before 1840, and I am stuck as to where and how to start. Secondly, he married in 1821. His bride was aged 21 or 22. Given that he was a "Master Mariner" in 1825 (on the register of his first child's birth), is it likely that he was the same age, or is it more probable that he was considerably older? As a rough guide, at what age would you expect to find someone becoming a "Master"? Finally, if anyone has any specific knowledge of this Mariner, probably sailing out of the docks of London, (his wife and children were resident in the Commercial Road area of Ratcliff), I would be extremely pleased to hear from you. Any thoughts or advice very gratefully received. Lynden Hughes West Sussex, UK