09 May 2014

Ancestry adds UK, Wills of Royal Naval Seamen Index, 1786-1882

Nearly 20,000 wills of Royal Naval Seamen (1786 - 1882) in a database from The National Archives, Kew, series ADM 48, now available through Ancestry.
According to TNA at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/seamens-wills.htm the wills usually provide the following information:

  • the man's name
  • the date the will was made
  • the man's rank
  • the last ship he served on
  • details of his effects
  • the name (and sometimes the address) of the person who was to receive the effects in the event of his death (usually his next of kin)
As well as being signed and dated by the testator, wills were usually signed by the master and captain of the ship that the seaman or warrant officer was serving on when the will was made.
These wills also hold details such as the name, address and occupation of the executor.

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