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Sea Death: How To Find Relatives Who Died At Sea

By Emily Hutton
  • Last Updated: Jun 17, 2023

The sea has always been an unpredictable and dangerous environment for seafarers and passengers alike, and unfortunately, many individuals have lost their lives at sea throughout history. Losing a loved one at sea can leave family members with a sense of ambiguity, wondering about their fate and final resting place. 

While it can be daunting and emotional, finding out more about relatives who died at sea is possible. In this article, we will explore how to find relatives who died at sea, from researching and gathering information to utilizing DNA testing to seeking help from genealogy professionals.

sea

Gather Information & Do Your Research

If Your Relative Traveled In The 19th Century

If your relative died at sea between the 1820s to 1890s, you’d typically find their names on a list of sea deaths from their specific voyage. Through these rosters, you can find out detailed information, including the following:

  • Roughly when your relative died
  • The manner of death
  • Whether your relative was “buried” at sea (people who died toward the end of a voyage were typically kept on board and transported to a nearby cemetery)

If Your Relative Traveled In The 20th Century

1890s to 1950s expeditions were recorded on immigration passenger lists, with a “Record of Aliens Held for Special Inquiry” noting shipboard deaths.

Because ships were faster by the 20th century, the number of bodies “buried” at sea significantly declined. As such, you’ll be more likely to find relatives buried in nearby graves. Review state archives from your relative’s arrival and departure port.

If Your Relative Was Traveling On A British Ship

Was your relative traveling on a British-registered ship? If so, request records from the appropriate region’s General Register Office (GRO). These GROs typically store a Register of Maritime Deaths. 

Which GRO you contact will depend on your deceased relative’s nationality and place of residence. If your relative was an immigrant to the United Kingdom, you can find records in GROs in England and Wales.

If you’re using an ancestry website with information on gravesites, you must provide the following information:

  • Your name, birthplace, and birthdate
  • Names, birthplaces, and birthdates of other family members as far back as you can trace
  • Known cemeteries where other relatives are buried
  • Related keywords, such as “ship,” “voyage,” or “port”
old ship

Contact Relevant Organizations

Do you need help gathering information? You can reach out to the following organizations for assistance:

  • Maritime archives, museums, or libraries: These organizations have a wealth of records and documents regarding any ship and its crew. You can also learn more about maritime disasters or mishaps.
  • Government agencies: Depending on your state, the country from which your relative sailed, and where the death occurred, some government agencies may have maritime records with rosters and incident reports.
  • International organizations: If your local government does not have the appropriate maritime records, you can contact international organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW) for more information.
  • Non-profit organizations: Consider contacting genealogical organizations for more information about relatives who died at sea. Many of these professionals are volunteers with experience in genealogy and ancestry research.

Get Help From Professionals

While government agencies and local organizations can provide ample information about relatives who died at sea, you won’t always have the best luck. If your search runs dry, consider contacting genealogy, family tree, and ancestry professionals.

Genealogists are especially useful because they can:

  • Access records like crew lists and ship logs that may have information about your loved one and their journey
  • Analyze these records for you, note any potential discrepancies, and provide insight into your loved one’s manner of death
  • Identify other family members who may have traveled with your loved one and determine whether they arrived at their port in good health or died at sea

Try DNA Testing

DNA testing can be a powerful tool for finding relatives who died at sea, as you can verify your relationship with this person and discover information about their lives.

However, finding a relative from hundreds of years back can be challenging, and DNA tests won’t always yield a direct result. In that case, you can: 

  • Use DNA testing to find living relatives and work up the family tree
  • Compare your DNA to existing remains. Note that this option will require consent from your relative’s living family members, so enlist the help of a professional before considering this route.

Consider the following websites if you’re keen on DNA testing:

  • AncestryDNA: This website is one of the most prominent and accurate DNA testing services, rich with databases of genetic data from individuals worldwide. In addition, it provides family tree-building tools and access to historical records that can assist in your search.
  • 23andMe: While it doesn’t have family tree-type tools, 23andMe boasts one of the most extensive genetic databases for finding relatives, dead or alive.
  • Other websites: If you don’t have any luck with AncestryDNA or 23andMe, other DNA testing and family tree-building websites you can try include MyHeritage DNA and Family Tree DNA.

While DNA testing can reveal a lot about your family history, note that results will ultimately depend on the availability of genetic data and the willingness of other family members to share their information.

laboratory

The Bottom Line

Finding relatives who died at sea is challenging, both emotionally and logistically. However, by leveraging the expertise of genealogists, accessing historical records and archives, and using DNA testing, you can uncover new leads and piece together your family history. 

While there is no guarantee of success in these endeavors, searching for lost relatives can provide closure and a deeper understanding of your ancestry.

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