I could sure use some help...I would like some help..... I really need some HELP!!! Dear listers, My name is Mel Rich, I am researching my families history. My Great-grandfather was from the Isle of Hoy. His name was Charles Rich. He, as a young man, worked aboard a whaling vessel. When he got a little older, he went to work aboard a frieghter vessel, sailing out of Port Elizabeth, South Africa to ports in China. While aboard that frieghter vessel, he and two of his shipmates were converted to Mormonism and immigrated to the U.S.A., to Salt Lake City, Utah. I would certainly appreciate getting a little information on three ships: 1. The name(s) of the whaling vessel on which he worked and by whom it was owned and who was the captain? 2. The name of the frieghter vessel , who owned it, and who was the captain? 3. The name of the ship on which he moved to America, who owned it and who was the captain? I have been able to trace my forefathers back to Charles Rich's grandfather, his name was Hugh Rich. Hugh was born in about 1759 at Rackwick, on Hoy. I do have some information showing that Hugh's father's name was Charles, however, I do suspect the reliability of that information. My ancestors first arrived in the Orkney Islands on 10 December, 1679 while being held as Covenanter prisoners aboard the ship the "Crown". They escaped when the ship smashed into the rocks, there at Deerness. Only very few of the prisoners aboard that ship did escape drowning (about 50), and many of these were recaptured and still others were able to sneak board a freighter bound fo Holland. I wouldn't imagine that there were no more than ten of the Covenanters who remained on the Orkney Islands. And, of course, As I have previously stated, my ancestors were among those who elected to remain. Now then, getting back to the reason for this inquirery; I know that my ancestors arrived in the Orkney Islands in 1679. I know that my ancestor was Hugh Rich, born in about 1759. What I don't know is about those 80 years in between. That's about three or four generations of missing family. Would you please help me? All of the help that I can get is truly appreciated. Thank you so much. I remain, Respectfully Mel Rich E-mail: MRich10000@AOL.com