Genealogy Chat

My uncle was in the police force in London in early 1900s when he retired he moved back to kent. What's the best way to find his service record. I've been on the met web site but then get stuck. Any ideas of other websites or the way round the met site?? Many thanks, Lorna

Hi Lorna Was he in the Met Police or the City of London Police? The Metropolitan Police records are at the National Archives at Kew. There is a research guide on the NA website Research guide: Domestic Records Information 52 Metropolitan Police (London): Records of Service. This explains how to access the following and more besides: Alphabetical Registers of Joiners September 1830 - April 1857; July 1878-1933 Attestation Ledgers Ledgers for warrant numbers 51491-146379, February 1869 - May 1958 Certificates for warrant numbers 74201-97500, January 1889 - November 1909 Registers of Leavers March 1889 - January 1947 There are also pension records and quite a lot more. Gary

n for later RIta

You could also try the Black Sheep Index at lightage(.)demon(.)co(.)uk - remove the brackets. Select the police index from the home page. GR

I am nudging this for later Diana

http://www.externalserver.me.uk/musimgns.nsf/menu You could try this site. I always like looking at it, because in the photo database there is a photo of my Grandad with an article by me about him ... :-)

This is of interest but the black sheep records don't go back far enough for me. The last link goes back far enough but is met. I need Wiltshire police in the mid 1800s, anyone any advice?

Have a google for Wiltshire Police 1850 - I just did and some really interesting articles come up, including magistrates courts.

Incidentally, of interest to those 'nudging for later'. The City of London Police is completely separate to the Met. They patrol only the square mile of the City district. If you don't find your man's records in the Met archives, it's always worth searching the City ones. The City of London Police: Registers listing every member of the force since warrant numbers were introduced on 9 April 1832 together with personal files on 95% of officers who have served since that date have been transferred from the City of London Police Records Office to the Corporation of London Record Office, PO Box 270, Guildhall, London, EC2P 2EJ (Tel: 020 7332 1251). GR

Liz, I'm not sure about the Wiltshire records, they will not be at TNA though. Records of other (non London) police forces, except the Royal Irish Constabulary, are not public records. Those which survive are held either by the appropriate local record office or the force itself. You could try writing to the Police History Society for advice. Luckily it's a Wiltshire address. The Police History Society 64, Nore Marsh Road, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. SN4 8BH GR

Thanks, Gary, I did find that addy after I posted. Think I'll drop them a line. Liz