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*Tracing Your Roots > First Steps in Family History > Service Records
* The Royal Navy - Ratings 
 
Before 1853 There are no service records for ratings until 1853. Men were discharged at the end of each voyage, so there is no continuity of service. More information can be found at Royal Navy: Ratings' Service Records 1667-1923. There are, however, three places to look:

  • For men who retired with a pension between 1802 and 1894 there are the certificates of service, which list the ships served on and dates of service. For more information see Royal Navy Pension Records: Ratings.
  • Ships' muster and pay books will tell you when he enlisted, his age and place of birth.
  • Ships' logbooks can also help on occasion and provide information on the voyages themselves. For more information see Royal Navy: Log Books and Reports of Proceedings.
After 1853 In 1853 a new series of continuous service engagement records were introduced and this formed the basis of service records until 1923. After 1894, however, you will have to know which branch or specialism (such as engineering or gunnery) he served with. You should be able to find:

  • Dates of entry and discharge
  • Ships served on
  • Promotions
  • Disciplinary records
  • Some personal details
More information can be found at Royal Navy: Ratings Entering Service Between 1873 and 1923.

Medal rolls: There are medal rolls for both gallantry and campaign medals for officers and ratings.

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Creators: Simon Fowler

 
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