As an addendum to Peter’s post Find-my-Past have just announced that they have published 1 million 20th century Merchant Navy Seamen records on their web site.  These cards formed the Registrar General of Shipping and Seaman’s central index to seamen serving on British merchant navy vessels between the world wars. The front of the card contains some basic biographical information and the rear may contain a photograph or a list of ships the sailor served in.  The cards cover men and women, British and foreign seamen.  There’s a full description on the Find-my-Past website which incidentally is Pay-per-View.