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Naval records - possibly world war 1

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Solar

Solar Report 30 Jul 2013 12:33

Hi, is anyone free to do a search for me.
My great great grand father was Edwin Charles Biffin born 20.11.1875 in Southampton. He married a Hilda Pickering in 1895 in Southampton. I have details of the census reports for them and it states that Edwin was a Seaman. The notes I have are as follows (passed on via a previous member of the family who once started some research)
National Archives:
Description Name Biffin, Charles Edward
Official Number: 163509
Catalogue reference ADM 188/242
Dept Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies
Series Admiralty: Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services
Piece 163501 - 164000

The trouble is I don't really know what any of this means and wonder if anyone could help. Is it possible he served in World War 1 at all.

Any help would be great. Many thanks, Sarah

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 30 Jul 2013 12:40

1911 census

Person: BIFFIN, Edwin Charles Address: 8 Hartley Street Southampton

BIFFIN, Edwin Charles Head Married15 years M 36 1875 Coal Porter Southampton VIEW
BIFFIN, Hilda Caroline Wife Married15 years F 32 1879 Wife Southampton VIEW
BIFFIN, Lilian Eugene Daughter F 14 1897 Domestic Southampton VIEW
BIFFIN, Ernest Christopher Son M 10 1901 School Southampton VIEW
BIFFIN, Hilda Elizabeth Daughter F 7 1904 School Southampton VIEW
BIFFIN, Vera Annie Daughter F 4 1907 Southampton VIEW
BIFFIN, Leslie Henry Son M 0 (4 MONTHS) 1911 Southampton

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 30 Jul 2013 12:41

Unlikely to have taken any active part in WW1, in view of his age

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 30 Jul 2013 12:43

To access the records, go to the National Archives site................I believe (not certain, as I've never had the need) it is possible to download documents..............for a fee.

BUT........the forenames don't tally...........so are you sure it's the same man?

EDIT:
I see that his names were flexible............ ...........

Marriages Sep 1895 (>99%)
Biffin Charles Edward Southampton 2c 91
Pickering Hilda Caroline Southampton 2c 91

Solar

Solar Report 30 Jul 2013 12:46

Thank you, will take a look now. Not 100% if the same man as like I say notes passed on from another researcher (who has sadly now passed on so cannot check with them)
Thanks

George_of_Westbury

George_of_Westbury Report 30 Jul 2013 12:48

You can download his record from the Nat. Archives, will cost £3-36

Name Biffin, Charles Edward. Official Number: 163509. Place of Birth: Southampton, Hampshire. Date of Birth: ...

Admiralty: Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services. Registers. Name Biffin, Charles Edward. Official Number: 163509. Place of Birth: Southampton, Hampshire. Date of Birth: 20 November 1875.
Collection: Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies
Date range:01 January 1891 - 31 December 1891
Reference:ADM 188/242/163509
Subjects:Armed Forces (General), Navy


Link to the search page of the Archives

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-naval-seamen.htm


George

Researching:
My avatar is that of my Dad and shipmates, taken onboard HMS Blanche in 1938, place unknown From left to right, my Dad,Sidney Mellor and Sidney Bateman.

Solar

Solar Report 30 Jul 2013 12:49

Thank you George. Sorry but did you know what this record will actually show me at all?

Solar

Solar Report 30 Jul 2013 12:50

Ah just seen from the website what it will contain so thanks everso for the link going to proceed with it now