I receive many requests to help with family histories from surfers trying to find an ancestor who had a lighthouse connection. In general terms I only consider myself to be experienced in English and Welsh lighthouses. That means that any lighthouse keeper who worked in a 'main' lighthouse would have worked for Trinity House and therefore Trinity House would, at one time, have the records of all staff.

As far as I am aware they will not divulge details of any keeper who may still be alive. Their really old records have been deposited at the Guildhall in London. The records will cover only the period when the lighthouse was under their control.

Lighthouses not under Trinity House control will come under the local control. For example New Brighton was never a Trinity House light but was operated by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. Please bear this in mind when deciding where to start.

The information I append below is on an 'as found' basis and has no real structure to it. I just add the information, whether it be a photo of a grave or an obituary I came across, in the order that it turns up on my door step. However, if you have anything to add then please let me know.

Try this link for Lighthouse Personnel in England, Wales and the Channel Islands (Trinity House) c1790-1911

Try this link for Liverpool's Lighthouse Keepers (Mersey Docks and Harbour Board)

‘Sacred to the memory of: -

Charles Tompkins, devoted husband of Margaret and loving father of Peggy, age 47.
Richard T Grenfell, beloved husband of Annie and loving father of Cyril, age 62.
William E Jones, beloved husband of Phoebe and devoted father of Ted and Olive, age 50.

who were killed by enemy action in the performance of their duties at St. Catherine’s lighthouse, 1st June 1943.'

The grave has the bronze crest ‘Trinitas in Unitate’ set into the headstone giving the impression that it was erected by Trinity House. Placed on the grave was an additional piece of stone which; although I could not read it all; appeared to bear an inscription in relation to Grenfell only and was probably placed there by his family. These lighthouse keepers were killed by enemy action in the 1939 - 1945 war and there are plenty of articles written about this episode for those who are interested.

'Thomas Williams, who departed this life 18 Sep 1894 in his 54th year who for many years was the keeper of the Hoylake and Leasowe Lighthouse'

'Maurice Benyon, who died at Point Lynas Lighthouse, 11th April 1915, Aged 61.'

The Gravestone is headed with his young son James Lodwick; then followed by Maurice and finally his wife.

'John Thompson Francis; late Head Keeper Rock Lighthouse, New Brighton, who died 17 April 1902, Aged 56 years'
It is sad to note that also inscribed on the stone is his wife who died 6 days later aged 54 years, and their daughter who died a fortnight earlier aged 18 years. It looks as though the family caught and shared the same illness.

'In loving memory of Thomas Cunningham, 41 Mona Street, Almwch. August 17th 1910. Age 70.'

Thomas was a lighthouse keeper in Shanghai, China for about 30 years.

Gravestone; St. Seiriol, Penmaenmawr cemetery.

'George Gould - Late Principal Keeper of South Stak Lighthouse. Formerly of St. Bees, Cumberland. Died 25th January 1873.

My old friend; John Mobbs; Ex Trinity House lighthouse keeper, sent me the following photo and comments :-

"The grave is that of John Le Feuvre, the Occasional Keeper at the Lighthouse at Sark in the Channel Islands. He was quite a character and never went anywhere without his fox terrier and a shotgun. He used to blast away at the rabbits on the cliff side and the dog would rush off and bring them back. He taught me how to skin and clean a rabbit, but I've never done it since. It just occurred to me to take a look in the little cemetary and there he was, only a few feet away from Sybil Hathaway, the Dame of Sark, herself! "
"The above photo and comment is courtesy of John Trotter, of Brisbane, Australia, who hailed from Teeside and was a TH SAK keeper for 14months (c1966) before deciding to do something else."

The inscription reads 'John Philip Le Feuvre, died 27 May 1979, Age 86 years'

I have found Sir James Douglass buried in two places.

The second instance is a grave is in the church yard of St. Petrox Church, Dartmouth, Devon. The church obverse facing side of the stone reads :-

'Sacred to the memory of James Nicholas Douglass, Knight, F.R.S. Late engineer in Chief to The Honorable Corporation of Trinity House.'

The reverse town side of the stone reads :-

'Walk as he walked in faith and righteousness;
Strive as he strove the weak and poor to aid;
Seek not thyself but other men to bless;
So win like him a wreath that will not fade.'

A commemorative table in the church reads :-

In proud memory of Sir James Nicholas Douglass, KT, FRS. Died June 19th 1898 age 71.
And of Mary, his wife, died June 22nd 1922 aged 92.
Also of their three beloved grandsons who fell in the Great War .
Percy Cuthbert Douglass Douglass; FLT. Commdr. RN. Died December 10th 1917 at Salonica aged 31.
William Douglass James, Lieut. RGA. Died September 26th 1915 at Loos age 23.
Douglass Charles James, 2nd Lieut S.Staff Reg. Died September 30th 1915 at Loos age 20.