Rootsweb has a Mariners mailing list. Many of the members are experts on all things marine. The Maritime Museum at Greenwich, down the Thames, has all the records of merchant seamen from when they are apprentices all the way through to Master Mariner. I got copies of the entire career of my ancestor, William Sharp Cobb. The records included every ship, every voyage, every port, exams, promotions, etc. Eileen >> Hello List >> >> I am seeking information on finding Masters papers for the period 1841 >> to >> 1881. How would I find what is available . On the 1841 census I have >> James >> Redpath aged 25 he was listed as Merchant Seaman born in Dunbar, East >> Lothian with a wife Ann ? aged 25 and daughter Janet aged 5m. On the >> 1881 >> is a James Redpath With the correct age 67 but now Retired Ships Master, >> Born Scotland with two daughters Margaret 48 born Scotland and Beatrice >> 39 born Scotland . I believe James is the son of Alexander Redpath and >> Beatrix Runciman, if so James was born 22 July 1814 in Dunbar, the next >> child to this couple was Martha born 1829 . Alexander was also a >> Merchant >> Seaman before becoming a Policeman in Dunbar .Any information on this >> family is welcomed >> >> >> Bob