United Kingdom, British Royal Navy Ships’ Musters - FamilySearch Historical Records

United Kingdom

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains records from National Archives' record series ADM 36 Royal Navy Ships' Musters (Series I); ADM 37 Ships' Musters (Series II); and ADM 38 Ships' Musters (Series III). Record series ADM 36 and ADM 37 contain some musters of shore establishments such as dockyards, garrisons, and in one case a rendezvous (for recruitment and impressment).

ADM 36
This series covers the years 1688-1808. Bound within musters of particular ships are description books which record the previous service, birthplace, and a physical description of each crew member. The entire series (not published here) contains 17,471 volumes.

ADM 37
This series covers the years 1757-1842. The entire series (not published here) contains 10,131 volumes. There is a clear break occurring between the years 1828 and 1836 (the exact date varies from ship to ship).

ADM 38
This series covers 1793-1878. The entire series (not published here) contains 9,376 volumes. A number of musters were destroyed after WWI. The following abbreviations are used throughout this series:
 * C: Muster, or Complete, Book
 * D: Description Book
 * M: Quarterly Muster Book
 * O: Muster Open List
 * V: Victualling List

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th centur

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United Kingdom.
 * England Guided Research, Ireland Guided Research, Scotland Guided Research
 * England Record Finder, Ireland Record Finder, Scotland Record Finder, Wales Record Finder
 * England Research Tips and Strategies, Ireland Research Tips and Strategies, Scotland Research Tips and Strategies, Wales Research Tips and Strategies

Related Family History Library Holdings

 * Great Britain. Admiralty Admiralty muster books (series 1), 1766-1807
 * Great Britain. Admiralty Admiralty muster books (series 2), 1757-1822
 * Great Britain. Admiralty Admiralty muster books (series 3) : yards and miscellaneous muster and payrolls for ships in Canada, 1813-1863

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.