It also explains where to find transcripts of ship registers from Custom Houses throughout the British Isles.

Before 1786, there were no central government records of ship registration, although ships began to be registered around the middle of the 17th century.

  • 1661: Foreign-built ships were required to register with Custom Houses in order to obtain the same trading privileges as British-built ships.
  • 1695: British-built ships also had to register before trading to or from the colonies. This was later extended to ships importing wool from Ireland.
  • 1786: The Merchant Shipping Act (1786) required all British ships of more than 15 tons to register with Customs in their home port. A copy, known as a transcript of each entry was sent to the Custom House in London or Edinburgh.
  • 1814: Fire in the London Custom House destroyed all the early transcripts sent from other ports. However, registration books for the Port of London itself survive, as do some local records kept by Custom Houses at other ports (see below).
  • 1835: The official method of calculating tonnage was revised; for steamships, engine-room space was deducted.
  • 1854: The Merchant Shipping Act (1854) introduced official numbers for all newly-registered ships and further revised calculations of tonnage.
  • 1855: New measurement became compulsory for any ship re-registered or transferred to a different registry.
  • 1857: The first generally-available Mercantile Navy List was published, covering all ships registered in Britain or at Empire (subsequently Commonwealth) ports, and was issued each year until 1976.

Custom House ship registers

England and Wales (A–H)  | England and Wales (I–W)  | Rest of UK

Transcripts of ship registers made at every Custom House in Britain, 1814 onwards, should be found at The National Archives (see London, below); these include transcripts from Custom Houses in the South of Ireland until 1922. A list of Custom Houses for England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, along with the dates for which they have ship registration records, is given below:

England and Wales (A–H)

Aberystwyth (1824–1925)

Ceredigion Archives, Swyddfa'r Sir, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, SY23 2DE

Tel: 01970 633697/8

Email: archives@ceredigion.gov.uk

Website: Ceredigion Archives.

 

Aldeburgh (1824–1845)

(see Ipswich)

Appledore (1786–1908)

(see Barnstaple)

Arundel (1824–1855)

(see Chichester)

Barnstaple (1824–1906)

 

North Devon Record Office, Barnstaple Library & Record Office, Tuly Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1EL

Tel: 01271 388607/8

Fax: 01271 388608

Email: ndevrec@devon.gov.uk

Website: North Devon Record Office.

 

Barrow (1868–1925)

Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library, 140 Duke Street, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1XW

Tel: 01229 894377

Fax: 01229 894364

Email: barrow.record.office@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Website: Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library.

 

Berwick (1824–1910)

Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office, Borough Council Offices, Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ED

Tel: 01289 301865

Fax: 01289 330540

Email: lb@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

Website: Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office.

 

Bideford (1786– )

(see Bristol (1786–1831))

(see Barnstaple (1831– ))

Blyth (1897– )

 

Northumberland Record Office, Melton Park, North Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3 5QX

Tel: 0191 236 2680

Fax: 01289 330540

Website: Northumberland Record Office.

 

Boston (1827– )

Lincolnshire Archives, St Rumbold Street, Lincoln, LN2 5AB

Tel: (+44) 01522 525158

Fax: 01522 530047

Email: archive_bookings@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Website: Lincolnshire Archives.

 

Bridgwater (1786–1906)

Somerset Archive and Record Office, Obridge Road, Taunton, TA2 7PU

Tel: +44 (0)1823 278805

Fax: 01823 325402

Email: archives@somerset.gov.uk

Website: Somerset Archive and Record Office.

 

Bridport (1832–1880)

(see Lyme Regis)

 

Bristol (1824– )

Bristol Record Office, 'B' Bond Warehouse, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN

Tel: 0117 922 4224

Fax: 0117 922 4236

Email: bro@bristol-city.gov.uk

Website: Bristol Record Office.

 

Brixham (1864–1905)

(see Exeter)

 

Caernarfon (1840– )

Caernarfon Record Office, County Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH

Tel: 01286 679095

Fax: 01286 679637

Email: archives.caernarfon@gwynedd.gov.uk

Website: Caernarfon Record Office.

 

Cardiff (1824–1932)

Glamorgan Record Office, The Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF1 3NE

Tel: +44 (0)2920 780282

Email: glamro@cardiff.ac.uk

Website: Glamorgan Record Office.

 

Cardigan (1824– )

Pembrokeshire Record Office, The Castle, Haverfordwest, SA61 2EF

Tel: +44 (0)1437 763707

Fax: 01437 768539

Website: Pembrokeshire Record Office.

 

Carlisle (1786–1886)

Cumbria Record Office, The Castle, Carlisle, CA3 8UR

Tel: 01228 607285

Fax: 01228 707274

Email: carlisle.record.office@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Website: Cumbria Record Office and Local Studies Library.

 

Carmarthen (1839–1849)

Carmarthenshire Archives Service, Parc Myrddin, Richmond Terrace, Carmarthen, SA31 1DS

Tel: 01267 228232

Fax: 01267 228237

Email: archives@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Website: Carmarthenshire Archives Service.

 

Chepstow (1786–1881)

(see Gloucester)

 

Chichester (1837–1852)

West Sussex Record Office, County Hall, West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RN

Tel: +44 (0)1243 753600

Fax: 01243 533959

Email: records.office@westsussex.gov.uk

Website: West Sussex Record Office.

 

Cley (1839–1853)

(see King's Lynn)

 

Colchester (1786–1849)

Essex Record Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford, Essex

Tel: +44 (0)1245 244644

Fax: 01245 244644

Email: ero.enquiry@essexcc.gov.uk

Website: Essex Record Office.

 

Cowes (1786– )

Isle of Wight County Record Office, 26 Hillside, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2EB

Tel: +44 (0)1983 823820

Fax: 01983 823820

Email: record.office@iow.gov.uk

Website: Isle of Wight Record Office

 

Dartmouth (1824–1900)

(see Exeter)

 

Deal (1824– )

Centre for Kentish Studies, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1QX

Tel: (+44) 01622 694363

Fax: 01622 694379

Email: archives@kent.gov.uk

Website: Centre for Kentish Studies.

 

Dover (1824– )

(see Deal)

 

Exeter (1786–1934)

Devon Record Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, EX2 7NL

Tel: +44 (0)1392 384253

Email: devrec@devon.gov.uk

Website: Devon Record Office.

 

Falmouth (1842– )

(see Truro)

Faversham (1824– )

(see Deal)

Fleetwood (1897– )

(see Preston)

Folkestone (1855– )

(see Deal)

Fowey (1786– )

(see Truro)

 

Gloucester (1824– )

Gloucester Archives, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester, GL1 3DW

Tel: +44 (0)1452 425295

Email: archives@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Website: Gloucester Archives.

 

Goole (1828– )

East Riding of Yorkshire Archive Service, County Hall, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU17 9BA

Tel: 01482 393939

Fax: 01482 393375

Email: customer.services@eastriding.gov.uk

Website: East Riding of Yorkshire Archive Service.

 

Grimsby (1824–1918)

(see Boston)

Hartlepool (1845– )

(see Middlesbrough)

Hartlepool West (1860– )

(see Middlesborough)

Harwich (1824–1884)

(see Colchester)

 

Hull (1804–1994)

Hull History Centre, Worship Street, Kingston-Upon-Hull, HU2 8BG

Tel: 01482 317500

Email: hullhistorycentre@hcandl.co.uk

Website: Hull History Centre

 

England and Wales (I–W)

Ilfracombe (1824–1837)

(see Barnstaple)

 

Ipswich (1824– )

Suffolk Record Office, Gatacre Road, Ipswich, IP1 2LQ

Tel: 01473 584541

Fax: 01473 584533

Email: ipswich.ro@libher.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Website: Suffolk Record Office.

 

King's Lynn (1836–1922)

Norfolk Record Office, The Archive Centre, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DQ

Tel: (0)1603 222599

Fax: (0)1603 761885

Email: norfec@norfolk.gov.uk

Website: Norfolk Record Office.

 

Lancaster (1786–1905)

(see Barrow)

Littlehampton (1855– )

(see Chichester)

 

Liverpool (1739–1890)

Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AA

Tel: +44 (0)151 478 4499

Website: Merseyside Maritime Museum.

 

Llanelli

(see Carmarthen)

 

London (1786– )

The National Archives, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU

Tel: +44 (0)20 8876 3444

Website: The National Archives.

 

Lowestoft (1852–1946)

Suffolk Record Office, Clapham Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1DR

Tel: 01502 405357

Fax: 01502 405350

Email: lowestoft.ro@libher.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Website: Suffolk Record Office.

Lyme Regis (1786–1880)

Dorset County Record Office, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RP

Tel: +44 (0)1305 250550

Fax: 01305 257184

Email: archives@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Website: Dorset History Centre.

 

Malden (1786–1920)

Essex Record Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6YT

Tel: +44 (0)1245 244644

Email: ero.enquiry@essexcc.gov.uk

Website: Essex Record Office.

 

Manchester (1894– )

Manchester Archives and Local Studies, Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD

Tel: +44 (0)161 234 1979

Fax: 0161 234 1927

Email: archiveslocalstudies@manchester.gov.uk

Website: Manchester Archives and Local Studies.

 

Maryport (1838– )

(see Carlisle)

 

Middlesbrough (1861– )

Teesside Archives, Exchange House, 6 Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1DB

Tel: +44 (0)1642 248321

Fax: 01642 248391

Email: teessidearchives@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Website: Teesside Archives.

 

Milford Haven (1827– )

(see Cardigan)

 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1786–1872)

Tyne & Wear Archives Service, Blandford House, Blandford Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 4JA

Tel: +44 (0)191 277 2248

Fax: 0191 230 2614

Email: twas@gateshead.gov.uk

Website: Tyne & Wear Archives Service.

 

Newhaven (1856–1895)

East Sussex Record Office, The Maltings, Castle Precincts, Lewes, BN17 1YT

Tel: 01273 482349

Fax: 01273 482341

Website: East Sussex Record Office.

 

Newport (1824– )

Gwent Archives, Steelworks Road, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, NP23 6DN

Tel: 01495 353362

Email: enquiries@gwentarchives.gov.uk

Website: Gwent Archives

 

Padstow (1824– )

(see Truro)

Penzance (1786– )

(see Truro)

 

Plymouth (1824–1920)

Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, Unit 3 Clare Place, Plymouth, PL4 0JW

Tel: (+44) 01752 305940

Email: pwdro@plymouth.gov.uk

Website: Plymouth and West Devon Record Office.

 

Poole (1855–1893)

(see Lyme Regis)

 

Portsmouth (1824– )

Hampshire Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TH

Tel: +44 (0)1962 846154

Email: enquiries.archives@hants.gov.uk

Website: Hampshire Record Office.

 

Port Talbot (1917– )

(see Swansea)

 

Preston (1786– )

Lancashire Record Office, Bow Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2RE

Tel: +44 (0)1722 263039

Fax: 01772 533050

Email: record.office@ed.lancscc.gov.uk

Website: Lancashire Record Office.

 

Pwlheli (1840–1851)

(see Caernarfon)

Ramsgate (1850– )

(see Deal)

Rochester (1824– )

(see Deal)

 

Runcorn (1862– )

Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service, Cheshire Record Office, Duke Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1RL

Tel: +44 (0)1244 602574

Email: recordoffice@cheshire.gov.uk

Website: Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service.

 

Rye (1855–1946)

(see Newhaven)

St Ives (1786– )

(see Truro)

Salcombe (1867–1918)

(see Exeter)

Sandwich (1786–1849)

(see Deal)

 

Scarborough (1781– )

North Yorkshire County Record Office, County Hall, Malpas Road, Northallerton, DL7 8AF

Tel: +44 (0)1609 777585

Fax: 01609 777078

Email: archives@northyorks.gov.uk

Website: North Yorkshire County Record Office.

 

Scilly (1786– )

(see Truro)

Shields, North (1866–1931)

(see Newcastle upon Tyne)

Shields, South (1859–1891

(see Newcastle upon Tyne)

Shoreham (1821– )

(see Littlehampton)

Southampton (1855– )

(see Portsmouth)

Stockton (1838– )

(see Middlesborough)

Sunderland (1786–1915)

(see Newcastle upon Tyne)

 

Swansea (1824– )

West Glamorgan Archive Service, County Hall, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN

Tel: +44 (0)1792 636589

Email: archives@swansea.gov.uk

Website: West Glamorgan Archive Service.

 

Teignmouth (1853–1939)

(see Exeter)

 

Truro (1824– )

Cornwall Record Office, County Hall, Truro, TR1 3AY

Tel: (+44) 01872 323127

Fax: 01872 322292

Email: cro@cornwall.gov.uk

Website: Cornwall Record Office.

 

Wells (1832–1859)

(see King's Lynn)

Weymouth (1786–1913)

(see Lyme Regis)

Whitby (1786– )

(see Scarborough)

Whitehaven (1786– )

(see Carlisle)

Wisbech (1836–1854)

(see King's Lynn)

Woodbridge (1786–1880)

(see Ipswich)

Workington (1839– )

(see Carlisle)

Yarmouth (1834–1886)

(see King's Lynn)

Rest of the UK

Scotland

Registers should have been transferred to Scottish regional record offices, but some volumes are held by local history societies. The regional record office should be able to advise on the current location for any Custom House in its area. Any queries regarding Registers of Shipping should be directed to:

The West Search Room

National Archives of Scotland

West Register House

Charlotte Square

Edinburgh

EH12 4DF

Tel: +44 (0)131 535 1400

Fax: 0131 535 1430

Website: http://www.nas.gov.uk

 

Ireland

Dublin ship registers were destroyed in 1920, but transcripts of these and other ship registers for the South of Ireland until 1922 are held by the National Archives (see London, above). Ship registers for Northern Ireland are held by:

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

66 Balmoral Avenue

Belfast

BT9 6NY

Tel: +44 (0)28 9025 5905

Fax: 028 9025 5999

Email: proni@dcalni.gov.uk

Website: http://www.proni.gov.uk

 

Transcripts are available in:

The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Cultra

Holywood

Co.Down

BT18 0EU

Tel: +44 (0)28 9042 8428

Email: uftm@talk21.com

Website: http://www.nidex.com/uftm/index.htm

 

Isle of Man

Ship registers are held by:

The Manx Museum

Kingswood Grove

Douglas

Isle of Man

IM1 3LY

Tel: +44 (0)1624 648000

Email: enquiries@mnh.gov.im

Website: http://www.gov.im/mnh/ManxMuseum.asp


The Caird Library holds registers for the following Isle of Man ports:

  • Douglas, 1824–1908
  • Derbyhaven, 1824–1853
  • Castletown, 1824–1947
  • Ramsey, 1824–1900 (except 1856–1876)
  • Peel, 1824–1953 (except for the period 1850–1863)

 

Channel Islands

 

Jersey

Ship registers 1803 to the present day are held at:

The Registry Office

Jersey Harbour Department

Maritime House

La Route du Port Elizabeth

St Helier

Jersey

JE1 1HE

 

Guernsey

A number of the original Register ledgers from 1895–1922 are missing. Registers after 1922 are held at:

The States of Guernsey Registry of British Ships

Registry of British Ships

P.O. Box 631

St Julian's Emplacement

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 3DL.

Tel: 01481 720229

Fax: 01481 705824 / 714177

Email: shipsregistry@gov.gg

Next steps

Other guides in the series which may be useful for researching the Merchant Navy are:

For general research help see:

Although care has been taking in preparing the information contained in this document, anyone using it shall be deemed to indemnify the National Maritime Museum from any and all injury or damage arising from such use.