Who do you think you are...Richard Osman

Ancestry has a record set of apprentices indentured in the Merchant Navy between 1824-1910.

Under the Merchant Seamen Act 1823, 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 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 Genera. Although compulsory apprenticeship was abolished in 1849 the system of registration was maintained. Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 a parallel arrangement was introduced for apprentices on fishing boats.

Ancestry also holds a record set for Masters and Mates Certificates 1850-1927. The certificates and other documents were issued to merchant seamen who qualified as masters or mates aboard merchant ships.

I thought it was excellent too. He comes across as a very sincere man.
But I am slightly disappointed that we are not told how or where the researchers found what they did. (or how long it took)
I loved to see his ancestor's merchant seaman's record with the detail such as his height, complexion and tattoos. I want to see if my Gt grandfather also had one.
Mine is on the 1851 census as a 15yr old sailor.

I haven't watched this episode yet. I think the programme is so interesting.
I loved Judy Dench.

I did wonder if he would want to trace that side but no.
I can't blame him.

It was interesting they ignored his father's family . He had left the family when Richard was young .

I think he will incorporate much of what he has learned in his next book.
I love him.

I really enjoyed learning more about this lovely man.

He just came across as a lovely gentle sincere man. Great programme.

After last week’s episode about Sue Perkins - the link to Lithuania and the boxing ring, this week’s about Richard Osman has also revealed some amazing coincidences. I wonder if he will feature a character called Gabriel Gillam in his next crime novel? I do like these family histories which focus on the lives of ordinary people who become involved in extraordinary events.

He tweeted:
"@richardosman: Thank you for all your lovely comments about 'Who Do You Think You Are?' It was a very moving experience. And remember we still blame people for their own poverty today."

I enjoyed it.

It's always so interesting to hear about the coincidences that are discovered.

It's fascinating to find out about coincidences in our own family histories too.

A humble man.