Genealogy
Many of our historical records were destroyed when Trinity House suffered fires in 1666, 1714 and bombing in 1940.At Trinity House we hold Service Lists for the Lighthouse, Lightvessel and Steam Vessel Service staff covering the years 1894, 1899, 1903 and 1910. Records for staff post 1920 may be held by our Pensions Department. To enquire about a former member of staff please contact: vikki.gilson@thls.org.
Please be advised that time and resource do not permit us to undertake frequent searches of our surviving archive which means you may wait six to eight weeks for a response to your enquiry.
In the mean time you may wish to try the following organisations:
The Guildhall Library
The majority of the Trinity House archive, including Pilotage and Almspeople / Out Pensioners records are held in the Manuscripts Section of the Guildhall Library. Details of sources can be found at:Genuki
A list of lighthouse keepers between c1790-1911 has been compiled by Stan Waight on Genuki and can be viewed at http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/.Merchant Navy Records
If you are enquiring about personnel in the Merchant Navy you may find the Registry of Shipping & Seamen useful. The web address is www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-seafarer_information/mcga-rss-home.htm.A list of what records are available can be downloaded here.