Dear Moira, Thanks for you kind offer of a lookup. My Gr-Gr-Granfather William Stoakes or Stokes, born 1822 (probably Aug-Dec), was a merchant seaman and later in life was a ships watchman in Greenock. He was born in St. Mary's London, England, and must have traveled often to Greenock because he married & lived out his life there. He was a merchant seaman until at least 1860 (for sure) and probably later, but was a ship's watchman by 1881. I am including below the info that I have on him from my PAF notes, just in case you or someone else on the list might see something in the details that I am missing. As you can see from the info, some of the details do conflict. I don't know if there is enough info here to find him at your library or at the Kew. What do you think? Jackie P.S. If you ever break that leg & have 6 months free....let me know... I would be glad to help you put that online. <LOL> *************************** GRO564/03 0009 25, William STOAKES Catherine McLACHLAN OPR M 0 Feb 1848 Greenock Old or West 1848-MARRIAGE: OPR, 564/3, 09: William Stoakes, a mariner, son to William Stoakes, a farmer, St. Mary's London and Catherine McLachlan, Daughter of John McLachlan, a collier, Argyleshire, both residing in Old Parish, booked 29th January 1848 and married February 1848. 1851-CENSUS-INDEX: STOAKES Greenock Middle, Renfrew Parish # 436 ED 35 Page 4, Line 10/11 1851-ADDRESS: East Gray Lane, Number 7, Greenock , Middle, Renfrew, Scotland. 1851-HEAD: STOAKES William, married, male, 29 yrs old, Mariner, born England 1851-WIFE: STOAKES Catherine, married, female, 28 yrs old, born Renfrewshire Greenock GRO 564/01 0001 ---- Stoakes 1856 F D 0 yrs Greenock New mother's M/S McLauchlan 1856-DEATH: baby girl ---- Stoakes, single, died 1 January 1856 at 10h. 0m. PM, 8 East Quay Lane, Greenock, female, 1 Day old. Father: William Stoakes, a Seaman (Merchant Service). Mother: Catherine Stoakes m/s McLauchlan. The baby girl died during an instrumental delivery as Certified by Barclay Henry, M.D., who saw the deceased on 31st December 1855. She is buried in the Duncan Street Burial Place, Greenock, as certified by Daniel McGregor, Undertaker. Informant: William Stoakes, Father. Registered 2 January 1856 at Greenock by Robert Campbell, Registrar. GRO Codes 564/01 0252 Rosina Stoakes 1860 F B Greenock New 1860-BIRTH: Rosina Stoakes, born 31 July 1860 at 2h. 30m. AM at 20 Cathcart Street, Greenock, female. Father: William Stoakes, a Seaman ( Merchant Service). Mother: Catherine Stoakes m/s McLachlan. Informant: Wm. Stoakes (signed), Father, Present. Registered 11 August 1860 at Greenock by Robert Campbell, Registrar. 1881-CENSUS: House Ref: 373261 Address: 19 Cathcart Street Census Place: Middle Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland FHL Film #: 0203569 GRO Ref Volume (Gro1) 564-1 EnumDist (Gro3) 1 (GRO5) Page 12 (GRO 564-1 1 12) 1881-HEAD: William STOKES, married, male, 59 yrs old, born England, Ship Watchman. 1881-WIFE: Catherine STOKES, married, female, 58yrs old, born Greenock, Renfrew. GRO 564/03 0452 William Stokes 1885 M D 62 yrs Greenock West, Renfrew 1885-DEATH: William STOKES, a Ship Watchman, married to Catherine MacLachlan, died 23 August 1885 at 10h. 10m. AM, Infirmary Greenock, Usual Residence: 19 Cathcart Street, Greenock, male, 62 yrs old. Father: Jonathan Stokes, a farmer, (dec.). Mother: Ann Stokes m/s HAYLOR, (dec.). William died of Gangarene of the foot, Coma. As Certified by Abrams Gemmel, M.RG.S. Informant: William Stokes (signed), Son residing at 399 Mathieson Street, Southside, Glasgow. Registered 24 August 1885 at Greenock by A.R. Baird (signed), assistant Registrar, initialed RAB, Robert A. Baird, registrar. *************************** Hi Jackie, > No its at my local library! Rather hit and miss, one great uncle was there complete with photo, date and place of > birth....another was absent. The one who was there was an engineer, the other just a steward. They were both local but >it is a national resource. I dont mind doing a look up for you. I've not got to Kew yet but I am told having a number makes > it manyfold easier. If I break a leg and have six months off it's the archive I'd like to put on line! I dont see why they > wouldn't let me. Only trouble is my legs are both intact! > Moira > > Dear Moira, > > Is this archive online? I have a merchant sailor who is my brick wall. > > Thanks, > > Jackie > > >