[4d2]

FreeCEN: Shipping: Supplementary Instructions

While, in general, the "normal" Field Descriptions will be used, the following table defines Special Requirements to be followed when transcribing or checking Shipping details;

Shipping returns are normally found to be on pages having different layouts from those used for the rest of a piece.
These "schedules" were issued at some convenient occasion before the year's census and delivered to a suitably authorised person (maybe a coastguard) at the earliest opportunity after census night. (Full instructions for the master will be found printed on each schedule.) This means that the schedule may have been handed in many miles from the place of issue; the ENG/WLS papers are bound into the Piece nearest the place of return.

Spreadsheet
Column letter:
"Field" name 		Whether
Mandatory
Description & Rules
Requirements for transcription of Shipping Returns
Shipping:
Column A
(Civil Parish)
Yes
Up to 20 characters
If known: enter the name and CTY of the port where the return was handed in.
If the "returns" port is not known: enter the name of the port and county where the return was issued

Required format: Port-name CTY ... as in "Fraserburg ABD"

Shipping:
Column B
(Enumeration
District) 		Yes Up to three numerals + one optional suffix
  • If there is no identifiable Enumerator Number then use zero.
    Note that "Enumerator =1" may not necessarily be the first District of a Census Piece.

    The suffix will be necessary for Shipping and will be:

  • 2 for HM Ships (Royal Navy), at Home
  • 8 for Merchant Vessels (also used for Lighthouses)

    SSCENS: Since no Enumeration District is identified on Institution pages, Column B should be entered as "0#8" (for a Merchant ship).
    NOTE the need for the # sign, only with SSCENS entries!

    • Shipping:
    Column C
    (Folio
    Number)         		Yes Up to four numerals + one alpha-suffix
    If the schedule does not have Folio Numbering: enter zero.
    SCT only: Some Parishes are filed under "Book Number" and do not use Folio Numbers.
    Any Book Number should be recorded in the "Folio" field (which is otherwise set to zero)
    Shipping:
    Column G
    Street/Road
    Address

    "Home Port"

    		Yes Up to thirty alpha/numeric characters
    The Vessel Name is to be entered in parenthesis, as (Prince Consort)
    ... and followed by the Home Port placename (if known)

    The method of enumeration will be found to differ between the census years: the FreeCEN style should be :(Prince Consort) Aberdeen where possible.
    Note that, if we are short of space, the "HMS" of a Royal Navy name may be omitted since this will become evident from the used of the "0#2" Enumeration code.

    Shipping:
    Column H
    Query
    or
    Special Use         		. One character, (b, n, u, v or x if needed).
    Any other entry will be rejected as "invalid".

    Occasionally one may find a (foreign) ship named but with no crew details.
    Use the flag v and type into the Notes field any pertinent details: thus the (Louise Frederick) came from Norway, had five crew on board who were not named, nor were any personal details provided.
    Colmn G = "(Louise Frederick) Norway"; Column H = "v"; Column Y records "five crew - un-named".

    Shipping:
    Column L

    Relationship
    to Head

    		Yes Up to six characters (Not used for 1841 census)
    In the absence of any detailed information, enter persons as "crew"
    Maintain the order of enumeration, and abbreviate if necessary to suit the field size.
    Shipping:
    Column Q

    Occupation

    		. Up to thirty characters
    If we are short of space Abbreviations are acceptable provided they are un-ambiguous, thus "gen dom serv"
    On the other hand, the 1841 Census in particular, thrives with abbreviations which should be expanded where we are certain of the full meaning.
    Any "ditto" indication relating to earlier occupations must be expanded in full.

    Shipping:
    Column Y

    Notes

    		. Up to fortyfour characters
    This cell is provided to qualify any query raised and is intended as a brief indication of the nature of the problem.

    It may also be used for "additional Information" which would be beneficial to include on the FreeCEN Database.
    Where a Shipping Return includes a description of the vessel (as in "Coastal", "Fishing Smack" or "Battleship" this should be entered as a Note against only the first person described in the schedule. See also Notes & Comments [7a]

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    Jan2004