Find your ancestors in Coastguards 1801-1952

What can these records tell me?

With every record you will find an image of the original record and a transcript of the vital details. The transcripts will include a combination of the following facts:

  • Name
  • Birth year
  • Birth date
  • Birthplace
  • Event year – related to the event recorded in the document type
  • Quality or Rank
  • Nomination date
  • Entry date
  • Seniority date
  • Discharge date
  • Station
  • Division
  • Last ship
  • Document type
  • Archive and reference

Always review the original image for more detail and explore the images on either side by using the thumbnails.

Discover more about these records

A Brief History of the Coastguard

As a prominent maritime nation, Britain has long recognised the need for structures to monitor and protect its extensive coastline. The origins of the British Coastguard trace back to January 15, 1822, when it was officially established as Her Majesty's Coastguard (HM Coastguard). However, the roots of this service date further back to the time of the Riding Officers, who patrolled the coasts on horseback to combat smuggling. The Coastguard was formed by amalgamating these Riding Officers with the Revenue Cruisers and the Preventive Water Guard, who employed small boats to prevent illicit trade along the coast.

Initially focused on anti-smuggling operations, the Coastguard's responsibilities expanded over time to include search and rescue missions and ensuring the safety of people at sea. The Coast Guard Service Act of 1856 further strengthened the service, providing better provisions for coastal defence and readiness to assist the Royal Navy. The role of the Coastguard became particularly crucial during World War I, when many members were mobilized and joined the Royal Navy.

Description of the Records

The historical records of the British Coastguard, preserved in The National Archives series ADM 175, offer a comprehensive insight into the evolution and operations of this essential service. These records cover Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland before the partition, and were created from microfilms housed at The National Archives. The series comprises six main types of documents:

Establishment Books, 1801-1919: These books provide detailed lists of personnel, their ranks, and postings within the Coastguard. They are an invaluable resource for tracing the careers and movements of Coastguard members over time.

Ships' Record Books: These records document the activities and assignments of Coastguard vessels, offering insights into maritime operations and patrol duties.

Registers of Nomination for Appointments: These registers list the nominations and appointments within the Coastguard, highlighting the process of selecting and promoting personnel.

Service Records of Royal Naval Ratings & Royal Marines: These records detail the service histories of those who served in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, many of whom transitioned to the Coastguard.

Reduction of Coastguard, 1919: Registers of Discharges: Following World War I, these registers document the discharge of Coastguard personnel, reflecting the post-war reduction in force.

Nominal Indexes to Registers of Nominations for Appointments: These indexes facilitate the search and identification of individuals nominated for appointments within the Coastguard.

The records predate the formal establishment of HM Coastguard, reflecting earlier anti-smuggling efforts and the integration of various maritime enforcement bodies. Notably, the 1831 salary records indicate a chief boatman earned £10, while a commissioned boatman earned £5. The records also show that those joining the Coastguard would initially be rated as boatmen, with opportunities for promotion to commissioned boatmen and ultimately to chief boatmen if deserving.

These historical documents chronicle the administrative and operational aspects of the Coastguard and provide a window into the lives and duties of those who served to protect Britain's coastline.