The service records of tens of thousands of volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), who risked their lives to rescue those in danger at sea, are now available on the family history platform Ancestry. This initiative coincides with the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.
The collection comprises 58,227 records spanning the years 1824 to 1989. These include digitized images of original documents and are accessible for free to non-members of Ancestry.
Simon Pearce, an expert in family history at Ancestry, stated,
We are proud to commemorate the RNLI’s bicentenary by digitizing these vital records. This project not only preserves the charity’s legacy but also provides families and researchers with unprecedented access to maritime heritage.
Simon Pearce, expert in family history, Ancestry
The collection features crew cards, presentation books, service books, and pension ledgers. These records provide valuable insights for individuals researching ancestors who served in the RNLI, including those recognized with medals, as well as notable historical figures.
One such example dates to 24 October 1838, when the RNLI awarded Silver Medals to William Darling, keeper of Longstone Lighthouse, and his daughter Grace Darling. Earlier that year, on 7 September 1838, the paddle steamer Forfarshire was wrecked near the Farne Islands. William and Grace rowed out to rescue the survivors, an act of bravery that made Grace a national figure.
The records also document more recent maritime tragedies, such as the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster of 19 December 1981. During this incident, the cargo vessel Union Star suffered engine failure off the coast of Cornwall in severe weather. The lifeboat Solomon Browne, with eight crew members, launched from Penlee Lifeboat Station at Mousehole to rescue the five crew and three passengers of the Union Star. Tragically, the rescue attempt resulted in the loss of all lives aboard both vessels.
The Ancestry collection includes records of posthumous medals awarded to the lifeboat crew members, preserving their legacy within the RNLI’s long history of lifesaving service.
