Thanks Brian I have done this any have spent most the day reading about it! and it is Interesting. At the moment I am looking into Richard Hughs farther he was a mariner too.

I am trying to find out what ship he served on, I have a feeling that they my have served on the same ship. The Census returns show they where both Mariners/saliors until the 1891 when Richard his son John and other son william where quay porters. Once you get to 1901 Richard, Hugh and other son James are mariners.

Do you know how I can obtain copys of any shipping records? lloyds for example?

Thanks in advance

Terrance =0)