Merchant Marine Records Document Maritime Service Archives Available

[David J. J. Ring, Jr.]

https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/merchant-marine-records-document-maritime-service

Merchant Marine Records Document Maritime Service

By Sarah Garner | National Archives News

SAINT LOUIS, December 16, 2019 — The public now has access to previously
unavailable information concerning former merchant mariners and their
maritime service through Merchant Marine Licensing Files, made available
by the National Archives at St. Louis.

One of the documents found in a record for a 17-year-old merchant seaman
named William Hitchcock. (Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, Record Group
26)

The public can access these records in two ways: through a request made
via an offsite reference request (with reproduction provided for a fee),
or via onsite viewing at the National Archives at St. Louis Research
Room. The collection opened to the public on December 2, 2019.

"Service in the Merchant Marine was considered civilian service under
several different civilian personnel agencies. However, service was
considered military in nature for those who served between December 7,
1941, and December 31, 1946. Due to the multifaceted nature of the
Merchant Marine, we are very grateful to obtain this collection in order
to provide clarity to their service," said Theresa Fitzgerald, Chief of
Archival Operations in St. Louis.

Merchant mariners or merchant seamen are assigned to vessels that
primarily transport cargo and passengers during peacetime. During
wartime, however, they can become an auxiliary to the United States
Navy—called upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the
military.

“Along with this new series have come some new experiences. These files
have joined our collection in an effort to better serve the public who
are looking for proof of their ancestor's service–civilian or military,”
Fitzgerald said.

She explained that the files provide a unique glimpse into our nation’s
maritime history and offer a visual record of the toll that wartime
service took on these merchant mariners.

“Though looking into the past, it is usually rare that we can also look
into the faces from the past. That is not the case with the Merchant
Marine Licensing Files,” Fitzgerald said. “These records not only tell
the complicated stories of merchant mariners, some of whom served in
peacetime and were transitioned to very different wartime service, but
they also, almost consistently, show the faces of the young men and
women in service. It is not uncommon to find multiple pictures in these
files. Here at the National Archives at St. Louis, we are honored to
observe the change in a face over time-in-service via these photographs.
It is humbling to see how service affected these individuals.”

The first block of this series contained 4,800 cubic feet of records.
The series includes personnel records with papers documenting the
service of merchant seamen licensed by the United States in the years up
to and including 1967.

These pre-1967 records, from Record Group 26, Records of the U.S. Coast
Guard, Merchant Marine Personnel and Licensing Records, contain a wealth
of information. Most notably they contain rich genealogical history,
photographs, and artifacts such as ID cards or log books that relay
information from their journey over the seas.

Each file provides the name and address of the seaman, place and date of
birth, and license numbers. It also notes the name of vessels served on
and the seaman’s status. The personnel record can contain an
identification number (“Z” number), relevant contract renewal and
discharge information, and the date and place of issue of other
certifications, applications, licenses, and correspondence. The record
may also contain photographs, birth certificates, and documents related
to union membership.

Another two blocks in this collection, approximately 3,283 feet of
records, will be accessioned at the National Archives at St. Louis in
the coming months.

The Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) is the approving official
for World War II Merchant Marine separation documents. The National
Archives at St. Louis does not provide information for benefits or
separation documents, such as DD-214s, for these records. To determine
eligibility for a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,
DD Form 214, or a Report of Casualty, DD Form 1300, customers will be
directed to to NMC’s website . St. Louis staff will also refer requests
to the NMC on a customer's behalf.