Historical Research Service
About Lloyd's Register Information Services' paid historical research service
Lloyd's Register Information Services offer a paid historical research service for information required for non-commercial reasons such as academic, genealogical or personal interest and not intended for monetary gain.
We can provide information on Lloyd's Register classed ships dating back to 1764, and on merchant ships of more than 100 gross tons, regardless of class, dating from the mid-1870s. Our records of shipowners date from 1876 and the Lloyd's Register of Yachts dates from 1878 to 1980 (this was superseded by the Lloyd's Register of Classed Yachts, which itself ceased publication in 1996, with special editions in 1999, 2000 and 2002).
We hold brief records of casualties to ships (that is the ships themselves not the passengers or crew) dating from July 1890. These show the date and position of sinking, voyage, cargo carried (where known) and the nature of the casualty, i.e. wrecked, foundered, lost, broken-up, etc. During the Second World War and up until 1977, Lloyd's Register maintained Wreck Books. This is a manuscript source, the only copy of which is held in the Information Services library.
Information sheet no.10: Sources available to researchers gives furthers details of the publications that we have in our library. .
Please note -Information Services does not keep records of passengers, captains, crew, voyages or shipwrecks. Neither do we have information on naval ships, insurance or finance. Our records relate principally to merchant ships, the history of merchant shipping, yachts (prior to 2002) and the history of Lloyd's Register itself. We publish a number of information sheets to help researchers in other areas of interest. Please take a look at the information sheets section to find out more.
Charges for research
Our current charges can be seen in the table below. Please note that these charges are applicable for research required for non-commercial reasons only. The figures in the left hand column relate to enquiries from within the UK and include VAT at 17.5%; those in the right hand column relate to enquiries from overseas, which are not subject to VAT.
Research charges | UKenquiries
(includes VAT) | Overseas enquiries
(VAT exempt) |
Basic ship/ yacht/ shipowner details from one year (specified by enquirer) of the relevant publication | £17.63 | £15.00 |
Full ship history (per ship) | £29.38 | £25.00 per ship |
Full yacht history | Apply for a quote | Apply for a quote |
Copies of historic yacht plans/survey reports (where available) | £58.75 per yacht | £50.00 per yacht |
All other historical research | Apply for a quote | Apply for a quote |
Please complete and return the Historical research service form and fill in the credit card authorisation form to make your request.
For a quote on statistical or more involved researched, please contact Information Services.
Information on vessels that are currently in service is also available. We can also produce statements and Declaration of Age Certificates for the commercial sector (including research for asbestosis claims). Please email ageinfo@lr.org for all enquiries about vessels currently in operation.
Contact Address
Information Services
Lloyd's Register Group Services Limited
71 Fenchurch Street
London
EC3M 4BS
Historical enquiries
T +44 (0)20 7423 2531
E histinfo@lr.org
Information Services
T +44 (0)20 7423 2475
E info@lr.org
Other general enquiries
T +44 (0)20 7709 9166
E lloydsreg@lr.org