If so, the TRINITY HOUSE PETITIONS may be a useful source for you. We hold on microfilm the years 1787 to 1854. Trinity House Corporation, in addition to being responsible for lighthouses around England, acted as a charitable body for mariners and their families. Those applying for aid had to give a detailed account of their circumstances and the records of those petitions provide a wealth of family information.

The Society of Genealogists [in London] produced “Trinity House petitions; a calendar of the records…” which provides a name index of those listed on the microfilms. It is available in the Central Auckland Research Centre ( 4 GBR OCC) and may be found on top of the cabinets containing the films of the petitions themselves.

As well as being available on microfilm in the Research Centre, the Trinity House calendars, petitions etc are also name searchable on FindMyPast UK's website - which is available to use for free in any of the 55 Auckland Libraries.

Janelle