John Malcolm (1842 - aft. 1884)

Born 1 Feb 1842 in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza White (Gibson) Malcolm — married 20 Jan 1868 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

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Biography

John Malcolm was born in Scotland.

John Malcolm was born on 1 February 1842 and baptized on 13 February 1842 in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom.^[1][2]

Three families who lived in Inverkeithing are all tied together - the Gibson, White and Malcolm families.

In 1851, John was 9 years old, living with his mother & siblings at Head of Shore Wynd. His grandfather, Thomas White was also living there aged 72 years old.^[3]

John and Eliza had two marriage ceremonies - one in Kirkcaldy and one in Dundee. The one in Kirkcaldy was registered.^[4]

• This family were tragic in that none of the three children married so there were no grandchildren.

Maritime Career

John worked his way up the Merchant Service from the age of 14-19, eventually becoming a Master in his craft and had the title of Captain.^[5]

Certificates

On 20 Jan 1866, he was an Only Mate: Issue Port: Borrowstounness. Certificate No 81719

25 May 1876 Certificate for Master. Issue Port: London, Number 01254 aged 34.

12 Aug 1884 Certificate for Master. Issue Port: Adelaide, Number 014313, aged 42.

John was issued a certificate on 18 March 1869 in Kirkcaldy. John was issued a certificate on 25 May 1876 in London.^[6] John was issued a certificate on 12 August 1884 in Adelaide.^[7]

• This collection contains lists of young men who were indentured to merchant navy ships between the years 1824 and 1910. They include details such as name, age and date at registration or indenture, vessel, port of registry, and birth year and place.

Research Notes

John was still alive in 1884 when he was issued his last certificate as Master Mariner. He was 42 years old. He died before Eliza, who was a widow when she died in 1939. I have been unable to find a death record in Scotland.

Historical Background

The National Archives describes the legislation that brought these records about: under the Merchant Seamen Act 1823 (4 Geo IV c 25) Masters of British merchant ships of 80 tons and over were required to carry a given number of indentured apprentices. These had to be duly enrolled with the local Customs Officer. These provisions were extended by the Merchant Seamen Act 1835 (5 & 6 Wm IV c 19) which provided for the registration of these indentures. In London they were registered with the General Register and Record Office of Seamen and in other ports with the Customs officers who were required to submit quarterly lists to the Registrar General. In 1844 it was provided for copies of the indentures to be sent to the Registrar General, and although compulsory apprenticeship was abolished in 1849 the system of registration was maintained. Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 (57 & 58 Vict c 60) a parallel arrangement was introduced for apprentices on fishing boats.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism, "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births & Baptisms" database, National Records of Scotland, Scotlandspeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 18 Nov 2020), John Malcolm, Parents: Alexander Malcolm & Agnes White. 13 Feb 1842, Inverkeithing, Fife; citing Parish: 432, Reference Number: 40 86.
2. ↑ Birth, "Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950"
   Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013
   Ancestry au Record 60143 #12969350 (accessed 20 June 2023)
   John Malcolm baptism on 13 Feb 1842 (born 1 Feb 1842), son of Alexander Malcolm & Agnes White, in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland.
3. ↑ 1851 Census, "1851 Scotland Census"
   Parish: Inverkeithing; ED: 2; Page: 12; Line: 6; Roll: CSSCT1851_89; Year: 1851; Household schedule number: 55; Roll: CSSCT1851_89
   Ancestry au Record 1076 #1157478 (accessed 20 June 2023)
   John Malcolm (9) son, Scholar, in household of Agnes Malcolm (35) in Head Of Shore Wynd, Inverkeithing, Fife. Born in Inverkeithing, Fife.
4. ↑ Marriage, "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns & Marriages" database, National Records of Scotland, Scotlandspeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 27 Sept 2020), John Malcolm & Eliza White Gibson, 20 Jan 1868, Kirkcaldy, Fife; citing Parish: 442, Reference Number: 12.
5. ↑ Certificate, "UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927"
   Master's Certificates. Greenwich, London, UK: National Maritime Museum; Certificate Number: 81719
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 2271 #598016 (accessed 20 June 2023)
   Name: John Malcolm; Estimated Age: 24; Birth Date: 1842; Birth Place: Inverkeithing, Fife; Issue Date: 20 Jan 1866; Issue Port: Borrowstounness.
6. ↑ Certificate: "UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927"
   Master's Certificates. Greenwich, London, UK: National Maritime Museum; Certificate Number: 01254
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 2271 #651594 (accessed 20 June 2023)
   Name: John Malcolm; Estimated Age: 34; Birth Date: 1842; Birth Place: Inverkeithing, Fife; Issue Date: 25 May 1876; Issue Port: London.
7. ↑ Certificate: "UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927"
   Master's Certificates. Greenwich, London, UK: National Maritime Museum; Certificate Number: 014313
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 2271 #607263 (accessed 20 June 2023)
   Name: John Malcolm; Estimated Age: 42; Birth Date: 1842; Birth Place: Inverkeithing, Fife; Issue Date: 12 Aug 1884; Issue Port: Adelaide. About UK, Apprentices Indentured in Merchant Navy, 1824-1910.