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Alfred James Smith - Merchant Navy - please help!

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Alex

Alex Report 12 Jul 2012 18:29

HI Chris,

Thanks so much. Do you know where I could get the photograph deciphered? I'd really love to know his actual rank which may help.

I've also heard that Alfred James Smith (Junior) was born on a boat in either Sydney or Adelaide Harbour and wondered if there are records that could help me find him.

Alex

Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 11 Jul 2012 07:40

Have you seen the NA guides to researching the Merchant Navy?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/default.htm

Right hand side half way down.
Some of the links within the guides are name searchable or can be browsed.

Chris

Susan

Susan Report 11 Jul 2012 06:54

A Possible .

Australia Birth Index, 1788-1922
about Alfred James Smith Name: Alfred James Smith
Father's Name: Alfred James Smith
Mother's name: Emma Grant
Birth Place: Melbourne, Victoria
Registration Year: 1858
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration number: 10130

The image in the Marriage that Andrew posted says Alfred is a clerk,so I would say it was the father of Alfred that was in the navy.

Andrew

Andrew Report 10 Jul 2012 22:37

Just for reference

Surname First name(s) Spouse District Vol Page

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriages Jun 1918 (>99%)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Smith Alfred J Trayl_r Paddington 1a 58
Trayler Phillis G Smith Paddington 1a 58

There was a huge age gap!

London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
about Alfred James Smith
Name: Alfred James Smith
Age: 58
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
Spouse Name: Phyllis Gertrude Trayler
Spouse Age: 24
Record Type: Marriage
Event Date: 20 Apr 1918
Parish: Paddington Green St Mary
Borough: Westminster
Father Name: Alfred James Smith (Lt RN Deceased)
Spouse Father Name: William Trayler (Master Baker)
Register Type: Parish Register

Andy


Andy

Alex

Alex Report 10 Jul 2012 22:15

Hello

I am trying to find out more about my Great Grandfather and or ihs Father both named Alfred James Smith.

Unfortunately the information I have is very limited as my grandfather (Geoffrey William Smith) died when I was young and his father died when he was only 7 or 8 so there is little to go on except a few pictures, a wife and a rumour or two!

The little facts I do know are that Alfred James Smith was born about 1860 and rumours have it he was born on a ship either in Sydney or more likely Adelaide however this could just be a rumour! We do know that later in life he worked in the Merchant Navy although I am unsure as to his rank. I do know he worked on the Miltiades and I have attached a photograph which shows his uniform in full - can someone decipher for me? Does anyone know what position he took? I can email it to you if you think you can! Could you date this photo too? His father Alfred James Smith is sited as being a Lieutenant in the Merchant Navy on his sons marriage bans but as his father was deceased at the time could this be the occupation of the younger Alfred James?

Alfred James Smith was married to my great grandmother who was called Phyllis Gertrude Trayler - she was much younger b.1893.

I am desperate to find some information on him but with his name being smith and not really knowing how to start with Merchant Navy Records which seem to be fairly limited in content i'm here and asking for help please!

I'll keep my fingers crossed!

thank you in advance

Alex