Do you have 'Ancestors at Sea'?

21st May 2010 

Help and inspiration is at hand for people who are keen to trace their family's maritime history, thanks to a new exhibition at Hull's Maritime Museum.

'Maritime Connections - Ancestors at Sea' opens today, Friday 21 May, at Hull Maritime Musuem and sees the Museum team up with the Hull History Centre and the Carnegie Heritage Centre to show people the wealth of information and maritime records available to people in Hull.

Three fascinating real examples of what local people have discovered in their own family histories are brought to life, including one case that goes back to the 1904 'Russian Outrage' when the Russian Navy fired on a Hull fishing fleet with devastating consequences.

The exhibition shows how the information was gathered, from the initial enquiry through each step of the family history research and the stories along the way.

Items from the museum help illustrate each case, in this instance a piece of the ship complete with shell holes is on display as well as personal effects of enquirers ancestors.

According to a survey by the national archives, around five million people are "actively interested in tracing their family history" and 'family history' is one of the most popular terms searched for on the internet - so this exhibition should appeal to many.

The exhibition runs from today, 21 May to 7 September in the Court Room at Hull Maritime Museum. Details of opening times at www.hullcc.gov.uk.

Martin Taylor, city archivist for Hull City Council said: "I'm delighted that we have this chance to work closely with our colleagues in Hull Museums and our partners at Carnegie to highlight the links that many Hull people have to seafaring ancestors."

Tom Goulder, assistant curator of maritime history at Hull Maritime Museum added: "After visiting our displays many people want to research their own family's links with the sea. This exhibition will show the abundance of information available at the History Centre and the knowledge of volunteers at the Carnegie Heritage Centre."

Liz Shepherd from the Carnegie Heritage Centre commented: "Our friendly volunteers have a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of local history and your families involvement in it."