Part 1: Deposited Records

Liverpool Statutory Register of British Merchant Ships

“Of all the shipping records in the United Kingdom, those in Liverpool are the most perfect.” R.C. Jarvis, “Liverpool Statutory Registers of British Merchant Ships,” Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire & Cheshire,” CV (1953), 107-122.

Until recently the Collector of HM Customs & Excise also acted as Registrar of British Merchant Ships, on behalf of the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen, in all Customs Ports of the British Isles. The series of registers described below contain some that are unique to Liverpool and are complete except for one volume of Plantation Registers between 1773 and 1779. Originally kept in the Liverpool Customs House, these are often called “Customs Registers.”

Records

Appointments

Appointments of officers for declarations of ownership, 1899-1916 and 1943-1965.

C/EX/L/1 3 volumes

Wool Act Register

This contains the text of owner's declarations, made under the Act 12 George II (1739) cap. 21, which was particularly concerned to prevent the export of wool from Ireland by non-British vessels. It recorded the vessel's name; home port; date and place of build (sometimes); whether home, foreign or plantation built; rig (or general type of vessel); tonnage; master's name; names of owner or part-owners; and whether taken as a prize or otherwise of foreign build, together with a reference to the circumstances of its seizure or condemnation, and when and where “made free.”

C/EX/L/2 1739-1792 1 Volume

Plantation Registers

These contain the text of owner's declarations, under the Act for preventing frauds and regulating abuses in the Plantation Trade (7-8 William & Mary [1695], cap. 22), recording details as above. The early Liverpool slaving and privateering vessels are found in this series. On account of their fragility these four volumes may not be consulted by the public but microfilms are available in the Reading Room.

Certificate of Registry

Official copies of the certificates of registry, granted under the Registry Act of 26 George III (1786), cap. 60, sec. 3.