Genealogy Chat

Hi, My grandfather was in the Australian Merchant Navy and died in Australia in 1951. His death was nothing to do with naval activities, he died in a motorbike crash. How would I go about trying to find his death certificate. Many thanks Helen

Do you know which State he died in?

Hi Mary, Yes, I have an old photograph taken at the funeral. On the back it says Nowra (Nonra)? Cemetart, Australia, October 17th 1951.

You can search Nowra cemetery records here: http://www.public-cemeteries.net/shoalhaven/register_search.htm You may find a military service record for him here: http://www.naa.gov.au/The_Collection/recordsearch.html If you have trouble finding him, post his name here, and I'll have a look for you.

Nowra's in New South Wales, and you should be able to find his death here: http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/Index/IndexingOrder.cgi/search?event=births Australian death certs are very informative, and well worth getting. In addition to their name, address, date and cause of death, they list the deceased's parents, wives and children, date and place of burial, and how long they'd been in Australia (assuming that information was known to the informant). You can buy the cert from the above site, but it's cheaper to get a transcription from an authorised agent: http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/howToSearch.htm

Mary, You are wonderful. I will have a look at what you have supplied and if I am struggling I will get back to you. I have fund my grandfathers service record on Australian National Archives, but for some reason, I am unable to order a copy of it. Would you have any idea why? Many thanks Mary Helen

If the record says 'open', when you click on 'request copy' it opens up a page where you can order it, if I remember rightly, but if it says 'not yet examined' you have to apply specifically to have the file opened for digitising. You can apply through this page: http://www.naa.gov.au/the_collection/refform1.html

The service record has been digitalised because I have had read through it, but can't find any way of ordering a copy.

Hi Mary, I don't know if you are still there but thank you so much for the information, I was able to order a copy of my grandfather's death certificate and find where he wqs buried in Nowra Cemetery. Just one thing, I did find his navy service record on the Australian National Archives website, but for some reason I am unable to obtain a copy of it, would you have any idea why? His name was Charles Aubrey Lester and was with the Australian Merchant Navy from 1950 to 1951. Any ideas would be gratefully received. Many thanks Helen

No, that's odd - I've just had a look, and you're right. The other records I've seen have always had a 'request copy' button so you could apply for photocopies. I don't have any naval records in my family, though - perhaps they're treated differently. You're unlucky he was in the Navy - WW1 army records run to about 50 pages, and my dad's WWII RAAF record ran to 150 pages! I don't suppose the record consists of anything more than you can see online, but at least photocopies might be more legible. Have a look here and see if you can find any information: http://www.naa.gov.au/The_Collection/digitisation-service.html#ondemand if not, try e-mailing ref AT naa.gov.au (replace AT with the at sign)

Thank you Mary I will e-mail them tomorrow and see if they can do anything. His record would probably have been a bit longer, but unfortunately he was killed in a motorbike accident only a year after transferring to the Australian Navy. He was only 29 years old and my father was only 7 at the time and doesn't remember him very well at all. Well Mary I would like to thank you for all your help this evening, you have been wonderful. I have learnt a lot. Goodnight Helen

You're very welcome :-) I don't think his record would necessarily have been longer if he hadn't been killed - I've come across naval records occasionally when I was looking for other people, and they always seem to consist of 2 pages.

If the naval record has already been digitalised, you ought to be able to print it off without incurring any further cost...unless things have altered at this site since I last used it.

You can print it off, Lady McB, but it's very hard to read.

Hi I have printed off the copy record and my husband will see if he can improve the image on photo suite. I have emailled the Australian Office to see if they can send me a copy of the original. Other than that, can I thank all involved in helping me peice another bit of my family tree together, especially Mary for the links provided, I am forever gratefull. I never my grandfaather (a shame because he was a wonderful person, taken away too soon at 29) but feel a little closer to him now, Forever grateful. Thank you Helen