What was a merchant seaman's life like in the past, what experiences would he have had, what were the ships like that he sailed in, and what risks did he run? Was he shipwrecked, rewarded for bravery, or punished? And how can you find out about an ancestor who was a member of the long British maritime tradition? Simon Wills's concise and informative historical guide takes the reader and researcher through the fascinating story of Britain's merchant service, and he shows you how to trace individual men and women and gain an insight into their lives. In a series of short, information-packed chapters he explains the expansion of Britain's global maritime trade and the fleets of merchant ships that sustained it in peace and war. He describes the lives, duties and tribulations of the generations of crews who sailed in these ships, whether as ordinary seamen or as officers, stewards, engineers and a myriad of other roles. And he identifies the websites you can explore, the archives, records and books you can read, and the places you can visit in order to gain an understanding of what your seagoing ancestor did and the world he knew. Simon Wills's practical handbook will be essential reading and reference for anyone who is keen to discover for themselves the secrets of our maritime past and of the crewmembers and ships that were part of it.

About the Author
Dr Simon Wills is a maritime genealogist and journalist and a regular contributor to Family Tree, Your Family History, Family History Monthly and others. He writes mainly about history and maritime genealogy, and he has been researching maritime ancestors for over twenty years. He also works as an information specialist, writer and advisor to the National Health Service and other healthcare organizations.

Reviews
Whether you are researching a seaman or a ship, Tracing your Merchant Navy Ancestors is a book that will hold your interest from cover to cover, with a wealth of information contained in a well structured chapters, making it easy to dip into. This is an easy to read informative book that will be an essential reference guide for those with seamen in their families. - North Irish Ancestors, Sandra Ardis



Book Information
ISBN 9781848846517
Author Simon Wills
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd