Genealogy Chat

bumped

Thanks very much for looking Natalie He's very hard to find stuff on so that really doesn't surprise me :-(. I have heaps on his son, but not him thanks again Sylvia

If its any help to others, I bypassed Procat after going round in circles, and just searched for my Chelsea Pensioner by name. Found him and ordered the relevant document - and also a Met Police officer's service record too for good measure. Total cost estimated £10 though I think it will be less, which is certainly cheaper than going to Kew and definitely time-saving. Though I do recommend people go to Kew at least once, its a worthwhile experience. nell

Sylvia I had a look for your Robert Townsend/Townley, and couldn't find anything....but I am a bit new to all this! Natalie

Johnathan It's a weird system. You have to pay an initial £10 online for a quotation. If the price quoted is over £10, you pay the difference. If it is under £10 your initial payment covers it. Because my documents only came to 70p (or something similar), I had mine delivered by Parcel Force...which still didn't take me over the original £10. Hope this makes sense! I only paid £10.....and it was worth every penny. Good luck with getting hold of your documents. Natalie

Hi all I'm wondering please if someone, who knows how to do it, can look up my 2x g/grandfather who is listed as an army pensioner on his death cert. Robert Townsend (or Townsley) born c 1829, Scotland died 1887 in Paisley, aged 56. I know he spent time with the Sutherland Highlanders in India as his daughter was married there. I've tried and tried to find things on PROCAT and seem to get nowhere fast. any help really appreciated, Sylvia Later ...PS I'm off to bed now, 12.15 here in NZ, so forgive me if I don't answer any replies straight away :-)

Just want to say a HUGE thank you to Sarah and Janice. I received Isaac Portway's military record in the post today. Couldn't believe I was reading a copy of a document written 182 years ago, which described my ancestor! Turns out he's been to the West Indies! I can't thank you enough for being so kind and helpful. Best wishes Natalie

Thanks, Sarah, I'll give that a try tomorrow, and let you know how I get on. Can't thank you enough! Natalie

I think you can order them from the NA site, if I'm not mistaken. Go onto the site (nationalarchives(dot)gov(dot)uk), search the catalogue (procat) - the detaisl and how to obtain them are on there. Sarah

Wow, Sarah! Where did you find that??? I've tried lots of different places, and never come up with anything! Thanks so much. You are a diamond!! He's my Gt Gt Gt Grandfather, and I've only just discovered the army connection. Not sure what to do next.......I think I'll have to take a trip to Kew and see if I can get more information. Meanwhile, thank you very, very much! Natalie

Here the war office ref for Isaac from the NA site: WO 97/769/49 ISAAC PORTWAY Born WIMBUSH, Essex Served in 63rd Foot Regiment Discharged aged 37 Open Document, Open Description Held by The National Archives, Kew Sarah

Janice Can I be really cheeky, and ask you to check out Isaac Portway while you are in the Chelsea Pensioner department at Kew?! He's on 1861 Census living in Hackney (born 1783) in Wimbish, Essex. On the 1851 Census for Thaxted (very faint) he is listed as Ag Lab Army. Whatever that means! In 1861 he is definitely a Chelsea Pensioner. I wouldn't want you to take up time tracking him down.....but if you come across a reference to him, I'd be very interested. Many, many thanks. Natalie

I'll have a check on PROCAT before I go to see what can be done on that info. Jan

Ooh, Janice......I know that!......You may not like it though! A common name!! This is from memory, but I/m pretty sure of the details: 1861 William Reid born 1818 Scotland - Chelsea Pensioner Mary Reid (wife) born 1822 Ireland William Reid (son) born 1852 Cape of Good Hope George Read (son) born 1856 Ireland All living in Manchester. Anyway, Jane thinks it likely he was discharged between the births of the two sons. Hope that helps? Merry

What is his name? Does he show up on the 1861 census? Reason I ask is I'm at Kew in October and if you give me a rough date of discharge I will check him out for you. It is easy if you have that info. Jan

The national archives catalogue lists Chelsea Pensioners. If he has an unusual name you could try their site, and then send off for his military records. I managed to find my Samuel Baker that way, so it can't be that difficult, as I'm useless at finding stuff!! Sarah

Jane, I think if you contact the Royal Hospital, Chelsea direct, they would try to help you. Look for contact details at www*chelsea-pensioners*org*uk - replace star with 'dot'. Maz. XX

.....and does anyone know...........if a man is born in Scotland (and therefore considers himself Scots and not English/Welsh!) would the birth of his child in South Africa be recorded in the England/Wales overseas stuff on 1837online, or do Scottish birth records have a similar overseas section?? I looked in the 1837overseas entries for Jane's ancestor with no luck. Merry

I have an ancestor who's occupation in 1861 is given as 'Chelsea Pensioner'. Born in Scotland in 1818 his eldest son was born in South Africa around 1851/2, but no births are shown for a William Reid to an army man in this period. Could I identify the man's regiment from this information, and if so, how? Thank you