Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

My Grand father, Richard Morton, born 1889 in Liverpool was the son of Ellen Morton nee Harrison, married to Johnston Morton, born 1825 Longford Ireland. Richard was a clerk in the shipping line and at some point in his early life he is photographed in uniform, which seems to be a maritime style uniform http://o.mfcreative.com/f4/file12/objec ... a71b-0.jpg
I think it can be accessed by following the link.
I would be grateful if any one can id the uniform and offer advice about finding his records if he were in the navy, either royal or Merchant. My father referred to him as a commander in the "navy", but I am at a loss to match him up with any records, and I haven't heard anything about his training from my family. It doesn't seem to be a job you walk into without some piece of paper to back up your position!
Also my Great Grand Father, Johnston Morton emigrated from Ireland at some point after 1848, which is the date he married his first wife, Clarinda Gellately in Clonmel. Apart from his marriage inn 1848, I can't find him in Ireland, possibly due to limited records, again is there any method I can use to establish his life between Birth and emigration? He is proving to be the main sticking point in my tree, my other research interests are,
Blundell - Halsall area
Morton - Liverpool,
Brownbill - Liverpool
Any help would be gratefully received

For the crew:
In 1891 Richard Morton and his mother Ellen are lodging with her mother Alice Harrison at 42 Green Lane, Liverpool. RG13 - 2914 - 126 - 38.

In the last census he is with his widowed mother at 4 Mason Street, Edge Hill. He is a shipping clerk and aged 22.

Steviepeas doesn't mention Richard's death but this one seems a best fit:
MORTON, Richard
Registration district: Liverpool North
Year of registration: 1940; Quarter of registration: Apr-May-Jun
Age at death: 51
Volume no: 8B; Page no: 806.

There was a Richard Thomas Morton born abt the same time in Liverpool and this would appear to be his death:
Death: MORTON, Richard T
Registration district: Liverpool North
Year of registration: 1966; Quarter of registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Age at death: 76
Volume no: 10D; Page no: 309

There are 3 Merchant Navy records for 'R Morton', all between 1921 and 1940, but none of them seem to be this man. The highest rank seems to be 3rd engineer.

If his death can be identified, his death certificate would show his last trade or profession.

EDIT TO ADD: You mentioned the Elder Dempster Line in your subject. What is the connection with Richard Morton?

From the talk given by Graham Hodson yesterday evening at the Society meeting, we were advised that if there are any records available for shipping lines they will be held at the Maritime Museum rather than the Record Office where there are very few.

If you contact them they may be able to advise if they hold anything for your man.

The cuff rings do not appear to be Royal Navy. Shipping lines may have concocted their own insignia, but most bore a resemblance to RN styles, but without the curl above the ring.
D

MaryA wrote:From the talk given by Graham Hodson yesterday evening at the Society meeting, we were advised that if there are any records available for shipping lines they will be held at the Maritime Museum rather than the Record Office where there are very few.

If you contact them they may be able to advise if they hold anything for your man.

Re the Maritime Museum..
See this post by Seeker:
http://www.forum.liverpool-genealogy.or ... 24&t=12251

Could this be the Richard?

Passenger's name: Richard MORTON
Date of departure: 15 May 1929
Port of departure: Liverpool
Passenger destination port: La Coruna, Spain
Passenger destination: La Coruna, Spain
Date of Birth: 1889 (calculated from age)
Age: 40
Occupation: Clerk
Passenger recorded on Page 5 of manifest.
Ship: OROYA
Pacific Steam Nav Co.

Unfortunately the manifest page is not currently available so I couldn't check his address. I'll try again later.

And re:

my other research interests are, Blundell - Halsall area; Morton - Liverpool; Brownbill - Liverpool

We currently have a Blundell search with connections to Halsall, and I remember a Brownbill search some time ago. Perhaps MaryA can locate them for you?

A thought....
Just shown that photograph of Richard Morton to a friend of mine who was, and still is when he can, very much into sailing and was a member of one of the most prestigious sailing clubs in Ireland. He says it reminds him very much of photos of former 'Commodores' of the club, especially with the 'ceremonial' cane.

Uk incoming Passenger

Richard Morton, age 40, Clerk, 16 Pine St, Liverpool.
Port of Departure, West Coast,
Arrival, 27 May 1929, Liverpool,
Ports of voyage,
Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro.
Ship, Orita,
Pacific Steam Navigation Co.



Bert

Just noticed the specs. 100% eyesight was essential for RN and MN officers, so i suggest he had a clerical or purser type of post when afloat.

Your records of him travelling are now jogging my memory, My dad said he would disappear for intervals leaving his wife with the children, zipping off on steamers, so that record of him going to spain et al seems likely. I had forgotten about that part of his life!
His wife ran a shop in Baker St, which supported the family and kept her busy, He was a mason and was a member of the Ancient Briton lodge but as the family are all deceased there is no oral history about him to call on.
I know he died in 1940 as the previous reply posting, gradually piecing things together thanks to you all!!

Bertieone wrote:Uk incoming Passenger

Richard Morton, age 40, Clerk, 16 Pine St, Liverpool.
Port of Departure, West Coast,
Arrival, 27 May 1929, Liverpool,
Ports of voyage,
Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro.
Ship, Orita,
Pacific Steam Navigation Co.



Bert

Yes thats him, Pine street is an address I recognise, well done Bert! My father was 6 when he left port and he had other siblings. How did you find him?

Hi Stevie,
I have Ancestry.


Bert

Thanks Bert. I have it too but never entered the dark side, must investigate further. Still wont help in the search for my Irish ancestor. Huh!

Bertieone wrote:Uk incoming Passenger

Richard Morton, age 40, Clerk, 16 Pine St, Liverpool.
Port of Departure, West Coast,
Arrival, 27 May 1929, Liverpool,
Ports of voyage,
Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro.
Ship, Orita,
Pacific Steam Navigation Co.
Bert

Small world! He lived across the road from my maternal grandparents' house at #15 Pine Street!

Now that is spooky!

dickiesam wrote: We currently have a Blundell search with connections to Halsall, ...... Perhaps MaryA can locate them for you?

It might be Steviepeas other post you are thinking of http://www.forum.liverpool-genealogy.or ... ll+halsall

MaryA wrote:

dickiesam wrote: We currently have a Blundell search with connections to Halsall, ...... Perhaps MaryA can locate them for you?

It might be Steviepeas other post you are thinking of http://www.forum.liverpool-genealogy.or ... ll+halsall

I don't think so. I thought there was a much more recent post than that. Maybe those stilettos did more damage than I knew about.
It was this one that rang a bell... http://www.forum.liverpool-genealogy.or ... =2&t=12215

Of course! told you my brain was going to mush

MaryA wrote:Of course! told you my brain was going to mush

Now that I do not believe! It may feel like it now and again but it ain't happening!

Elder Dempster was/is a Merchant Shipping line running out of Liverpool, with both cargo and passenger ships, and the cap badge on the photograph is a Merchant Naval badge. I can't tell from the photo what his rank was, but here is a link to the Elder Dempster site, with all armbands shown and cross referred to rank. http://www.elderdempster.org/ed-ranks.htm
Good luck