Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll take a look!

I posted my query to the wrong list I see ... I'll post here as well. ...

My great grandfather Ambrose Joseph Qualtrough supposedly died at sea,
probably around 1890. Family history says it was while doing service in the
United States Navy, but he died when my grandmother Margaret Olive was 2 so
her memory may not have been certain on it. She and her mother, Olive
Kermode Qualtrough remained on the IOM for another 20-plus years after his
death before they emigrated, so it seems strange to me that he was in the
U.S. Navy (lacking much understanding of how that worked) and not the Royal
Navy or merchants.

Anyone have any suggestions about where I might find more information on
his naval service, and whether it was with the U.S.?