Genealogy Chat

Thanks Jan and Annielaurie for the last bits of info will check these out tomorrow.

I am more convinced now that he died and thats why he was difficult to find.
Best Wishes,
Pam

Pamela, there did indeed used to be a barracks at Dover, called Connaught barracks. The 1st site below is a BBC report on its closure, and the 2nd a bit more about its history.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4790512.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4790512.stm

Jan

Have you checked the Index to Army deaths on findmypast? Not all deaths are there, but worth a try.

Thanks Annielaurie,
thanks for info about his records.it's is very welcome. I was woundering if he died abroad...........but I do a George Radford dieing in Dover ( i am thinking there were barracks there) about 1872 the age is sligthly too old 44 and my George would have 41 ish but the ages can get adrift in the records. If Dover barracks were the same as reported about Gun Wharf barracks then theres every chance he died from typhoid fever.

Best wishes,
Pam

Hi Jan,
Yes I suspect there was abit of "hank panky" going on thats why my old Aunties were never really told anything about their grand parents on that side. In the 1881 censes that first says she is a widow she is lodging with a George Fielder 59 ..............i suspect that the last girl and two boys may be his! but hay I won't judge her because times were hard .........no social security or council houses !!
Thanks for all your help.
Regards,
Pam

If he died whilst still serving in the Army, then his papers won't have survived. There are other records at Kew to search, though, if this is the case, such as muster rolls.

Mm, if he did die 1870's looks like Frances was up to no good with all those children!
Jan

Thanks for the info about Kew...will try to make it one day soon..........I know my cousin has been going there. She might help!

I was looking through the 1881 censes I have for his wife Frances and noticed that it records her as being a widow (mis read this as wife till now) That could mean that he died somewhere in the 1870's and still in the army.

His records, if they have survived, will be at Kew. They are filed in date bands of date of discharge, so although you might have to look at a couple of date bands, it's perfectly possible to find them on the info you have. The records aren't online, though - you would have to go there or get someone to go for you.

Thank you Jan..............you have been a great help. It's the little tips that can make all the difference.
I think he was away quite alot..........but made good use of his time when he was on leave.........they had seven children between getting married and 1890.................my old aunties say that they were never told anything about him? wonder why ? anyway good tip about googling Gunwhaf barracks.............I live just ouside of Portsmouth and this site has now been turned into a wounderful visitors shopping center with the Spinnick Tower.

Thanks again.

PS re the wittness at the wedding .........all that was clear enough to read was Elizabeth ?

By the way, i think the barracks are called Gunwharfe - try googling and there are a few sites, if you are interested.
jan

Hi.
I just entered name and approx. birth year, then looked for Georges with no spouse! Just struck lucky - assuming it is him. Can't see him elsewhere, but he could have been abroad of course. Not sure how you find out that sort of info.
Don't forget to look at witnesses to marriage, often a relative.
Jan

I hope it is Jan.........it would solve alot. How were you able to get this info ? The age matches.............him being in the army matches. So how would I find him 1871, 1881, and 1891 ( she thinks outloud)!..using the birth place of course. Would this info get me closer to getting his service record? I don't know his service number or date of death ?

Aha! Is this him?


1861 England Census
about George Radford
Name: George Radford
Age: 23
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1838
Gender: Male
Where born: Cullompton, Devon, England

Civil parish: St Pancras
Ecclesiastical parish: Christchurch
County/Island: Middlesex


Registration district: Pancras
Sub-registration district: Regents Park
ED, institution, or vessel: Barracks Upper Albany St

Rank of private on original

Jan

Any clues with witnesses?
Jan

Hi Ya thanks for your reply...........George was 29 and his father Thomas Radford labourer

Pamela, can you tell us his father's name please, and also age when he married? Will help locate him on census reports and hence place of birth - hopefully!
Jan

I am having difficulty tracing the movements of my gr gr grandfather George Radford. He married my gr gr grandmother Francis Hawkins at St. Marys Church Portsea Portsmouth on 25th Dec 1867 and after viewing their marriage cert I found he was in the Royal Artillery stationed at Gunwhafe Barracks. He never appears with her in the following censuses and by 1901 she is recored as a widow. How can I find out about his service record with such little info? I don't know were he was born. Can anyone help me.
Pam