Genealogy Chat

As a newbie, I am having great difficulty starting my husbands tree and would appreciate any help from the more experienced.
Family name CHAPMAN from West ham/Canning Town/Custom House area.
Father's name James Thomas Chapman born 1913. He had an older brother William. According to the birth certificate his mother was Florence Savill and father was also called James Thomas Chapman (however, I believe this could be a mistake as father knew his dad to be called William Thomas Chapman. Apparently this man died at sea (seaman) around 1916 when James was approximately 3 years old. Unfortunately Jame's mother Florence also died when James was approximately 14. I have done various searches for marriages/deaths at sea/deaths etc. but seem to be getting nowhere. It is extremely sad that a family tree cannot even begin due to Chapman being a common name.
I would really appreciate it If anyone could give me a little direction,
Kind Regards
Lucy

Could this be his father???

1901 England Census
Name: James Thomas Chapman
Age: 20
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1881
Gender: Male
Where born: Boxley, Kent, England

Civil parish: Vessels
Town: Malta
County/Island: Royal Navy
Country: England


Registration district: Royal Navy at Sea and in Ports Abroad
Sub-registration district: RN Ships
ED, institution, or vessel: Royal Oak

Do you have an address on the birth cert?
Jan

What occupation does the birth cert give for his father? Was he just listed as a sailor? Any idea how much older his brother was? And welcome to the boards.

Do you know where Florence died?
Thanks

Added:
Any of these?
Deaths Mar 1925
Chapman Florence M 48 Islington 1b 267
Chapman Florence M 51 Lewisham 1d 1249
Deaths Dec 1925
Chapman Florence A 33 Mile End 1c 357
Deaths Dec 1927
Chapman Florence E 33 Camberwell 1d 829
Deaths Mar 1929
CHAPMAN Florence E 55 Fulham 1a 737
CHAPMAN Florence L 48 Islington 1b 529

Please tell us the exact wording on the birth cert in connection with the parents

Births Mar 1913 (>99%)
Chapman James T Savill W. Ham 4a 360

Have you tried the CWGC for the 1916 death?

Graham, Lucy may have joined the site years ago but may not have been an active member. She's certainly a newbie to the boards as that was her first post. (You're a relative newbie!!)

It may not be the surname which is the stumbling block as such .......more that there doesn't appear to be a marriage for the parents........hence my request for FULL birth cert info

It may, of course, be that any marriage was not in England/Wales

Brummiejan's census 1901 James Thomas Chapman in 1911.

County: Royal Navy at Sea and in ports abroad

CHAPMAN, James Thomas Single ? 30 1881 Baxley Kent