----- Original Message ----- From: Irene Read To: Mary Herbert Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 12:51 PM Subject: Samuel Mitchell, drowned seaman , 1881 My ancestor, Samuel Mitchell is found in the 1881 census as the master of the 'Leading Star' at Lowestoft, on board the ship / boat on the night of April 3rd with four crew members: a mate, two AB seamen and a 14-year-old cook. In July 1881, we have the baptism of a Samuel William Mitchell at Stockton, Norfolk ; the son of Samuel and Emma Mitchell ; which has a note "the father lately drowned at sea". I cannot find a burial record for Norfolk or Suffolk, which is not suprising perhaps, if he was lost overboard. However, I cannot find a death registered either. Does anyone know the usual procedure in these horribly common C19th fishing tragedies? Would the widow wait 7years for a presumption of death? Can you have a coroner's inquest without a body? There is a Board of Trade Inquiry record of Grimsby fishing deaths through this period on line: was this a national enquiry and are the records at Kew or elsewhere, or even on-line? I assume the Leading Star, with a crew of 4+1 idler was something small, like a smack. Are there records for ships/boats that small? Would the master have any registered qualification? A lot of questions, I am afraid, but I would be grateful for any information or even hints as to where to look. Irene