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As a new girl (fluttering my eye lashes) I am trying to find as much info as I can on my G.G. Grandfather. James Smith

He was a sergeant in the 17th Lancers in the year 1867

I just don't know how to go about finding further details. I live in the West Country. Is there places I can go to find out more?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks. Trudy Johnson

Hi...how have you got to where you are? Do you have any certificates? Have you got him on any censuses?

Suzanne

I have a birth certificate of his son Harry Alfred Smith born 23 Aug 1867 at Shorncliff? camp

Trudy

So where was he born and what is his mothers name?(and maiden name)

Mothers name was Ellen Smith formerly Lawler. Son was born at Shorncliff Camp? Folkstone

Trudy

What town/county?

There is an Ellen Smith, warrant officer's wife in 1871 in Stoke Damerel, Devon? with son Harry.

Suzanne

Hi Suzanne The camp was in Folkstone. does that help?

Trudy

Not sure..it says all these Smiths born Stoke Damerel.

Suzanne

Probably a needle in a hay stack with that surrname eh?

Trudy

Also having difficulty finding their marriage. Do you have it?

Suzanne

Is there any way of searching army records on line?

Trudy

Hi Suzanne

No. I did look on freeBMD but without success

Trudy

Is this the family in 1881?

William, Frank and Emily were born in Ireland....

Name: Harry Smith
Age: 13
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1868
Relation: Son
Father's Name: James
Mother's Name: Ellen
Gender: Male
Where born: Kent, England

Civil Parish: Camberwell
County/Island: London
Country: England

Street address: 18 Scarsdale Rd
Education:


Occupation: Scholar

Registration district: Camberwell
Sub-registration district: St George
ED, institution, or vessel: 3
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Albert Smith 3
Ellen Smith 44
Emily Smith 8
Frank Smith 6
Harry Smith 13
James Smith 43
William Smith 10

Hi Gwyn

Oh my goodness I think it probably is!! How did you find them?

Trudy

A big thank you to you all for your assistance. I really do appreciate your efforts on my behalf.

Can I research his army stuff?

Trudy

.....Just searched for a Harry Smith born about the right time in Kent....no place name.
Shorncliffe is not that far from me.... I have seenpeople born there come under Folkestone, Cheriton, Hythe or even Newington ...in later census.

I have seen posts on here about which regiment was in a certain place at a given time....but I'm not sure which sites people use for that.

Gwyn

His army records won't be online. They will be at National Archives, Kew. - well, if they survive. You'd have to go there, or get someone to go for you, I'm afraid.

Thanks Gwyn

Perhaps in ten years when I have learnt the ropes I might be able to assist you!!

Regards Trudy

Further to my earlier post and going on from what Gwyn said, you could look at the regiments.org site to find out where the regiment was at any particular time

Hi Ann

Will give that a try and see where it leads me.

People have been so kind and helpful this evening

Trudy