Genealogy Chat

Ancestor John Smith - yes really! - was baptised Jan 1836 in Swanage. May 1858 he married at All Saints Portsea. He gives his occupation as Seaman Royal Navy.
Feb 1859 when his son was born he was living in Portsea and gives his occupation as Seaman R.N. "Osborne" Yacht. 1861 census he is 25 Seaman An. 1871 he is a Navy pensioner (watchman). 1881 he gives Naval pensioner and 1891 he gives cab driver. Jan 1899 his wife dies and his occ. is given as Naval Pensioner. 1901 he gives naval pensioner/jury man. He died 1908 of bronchitis.

The Royal Yacht Osborne used to carry Queen Victoria across to the Isle of Wight etc. This Yacht Osborne was formerly called HMY Victoria and Albert from 1843. She was renamed Osborne when a new yacht was built called Victoria and Albert 11 in Jan 1855.
I looked at Kew at the log book of Osborne for the relevant times. The only possible mention of him was 3/1/1861 when somebody was discharged to "Asia". Osborne was apparently tender to Asia from 1860. The writing is very unclear, but could possibly be John Smith. There don't seem to be any muster books for Osborne.
I looked at ADM 29/62/458 (naval pensioners) and the only John Smith was on "London" and served May1859 - 9/7/1861, which is too late for him to have been a seaman annuitant on the census taken April 7th. 1861.

I have read that in 1861 the only people to get Naval pensions were officers with many years service.

How did this young man become a pensioner at the age of 25 when there is no evidence he was an officer?????
Did it make any difference that he had served on a Royal Yacht?? Somebody suggested that would make him a member of the Royal Household. I can't find any information on whether any naval men were members of the Royal Household.
Anybody any ideas please??

I think the 1861 image may read Seaman RN, which suggests he was still serving.... so the person you found could perhaps be the right John SMITH

Gwyn

Thanks, but that wouldn't tie in with his having been in the navy from before May 1858 - when he was married.
Valerie

Could this be his record, which you can download for £3.36

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7879270

See here for information about pensions for ratings

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/royal-navy-rating-pension.htm

That certainly looks like it. I've ordered it.
Thanks so much for finding it - it must have taken ages.
I had searched and searched!

Hope it's the right one!

I use the National Archives Catalogue all the time so I'm used to it, although since they introduced this new Discovery, it's much harder!