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Archiver > APG > 2005-02 > 1107289432


From: Claire Bettag <>
Subject: US Descendants of TRAFALGAR
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2005 15:23:54 -0500
In-Reply-To: <0AA11EBA6312B74DB45142A2C243975ABC82C4@moduk.org>


> I was asked by a staff member at the National Archives (who is also a member
> of APG) to post this announcement. I am only the messenger and have no
> additional information. If you wish to respond, please do so to John Gower
> directly.
>
> Thanks,
> Claire
> ---------------
> Dear Sir or Madam,
>
> I am the Assistant Naval Attache at the British Embassy in Washington DC.
> This year (Oct 21st) marks the 200th anniversary of Admiral Lord Nelson's
> famous vistory at the Battle of Trafalgar. This much is well known! What is
> less well known, however, is that at least 20 members of the crew of his
> flagship, HMS VICTORY, were at that time Americans, or born in America.
>
> With the assistance of the National Archives I am trying to locate any living
> descendants of those who fought with NELSON with a view to some sort of
> commemorative event, possibly in Washington DC, in the fall. Unfortunately,
> none of the records in the UK at the Naval Historical Branch records what
> happened to the individuals listed as being from America after the battle, so
> with the exception of Midshipman Richard Bulkeley (after whom a USN ship was
> named in WW1, and whose descendants knew about him, including the Medal of
> Honor winner, VAdm John D Bulkeley, USN 1911-1966).
>
> THe National Archives gave me your email addresses. Is there anything we can
> do to "cast the net" to find the descendants? I am loath to pass out the
> names at the first instance, to reduce the spurious returns, but I wondered if
> a call as to whether anyone knew that their ancestors had served in the battle
> might work. We could then check in more detail later against the names I
> hold. Failing that, we could release the names, accepting that we may be
> deluged with "wannabees".
>
> What is your advice. I am a complete genealogical "virgin", so be gentle!
>
> Yours aye,
>
> John Gower
> J H J GOWER OBE
> Captain Royal Navy
> Assistant Naval Attache
> British Embassy
> Washington DC
> (202) 588-6804


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