Find your ancestors in Trinity House Calendars, 1787-1854

These records detail petitions made by seamen, or their families, who had fallen on hard times to Trinity House, who were responsible for the supervision of lighthouses and buoys around the English coast, but who also distributed charitable funds to those of the seafaring community in greatest need.

The records are split into three main areas, which each differ in the information that they provide. However, they usually include the following:

  • Surname
  • Name of petitioner
  • Relationship to seaman, if not the seaman himself
  • Age of petitioner
  • Location of petitioner
  • Year of petition
  • Circumstances of petitioner

    • Discover more about the The Trinity House Calendars

    The number of records available to search, including a breakdown of the three main types, are detailed below and cover the years 1787-1854:

    Petitions calendared – 8,000 records
    Calendar of Apprentice Indentures – 186 records
    Calendar of Miscellaneous Papers – 400 records

    Trinity House was responsible for the supervision of lighthouses and buoys around the English coast, and also distributed charitable funds to disabled seamen and their families.

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