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Finding My families police past...

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Sam

Sam Report 17 Jun 2009 11:20

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm hoping to head to Kew sometime soon.

Heather

Heather Report 16 Jun 2009 20:09

Hi Sam,
You can get lots of info from the national archives at Kew. I was there only a few months ago looking for my 3x grandfather who was in the met police force. I was able to find his pension papers which were of great interest.
Good luck

Liz 47

Liz 47 Report 16 Jun 2009 18:52

We traced a policeman ancestor through the Archives section at the Metropolitan Police, they were very helpful.
Liz

Researching:
Dad and Aunty Dolly with Grandad WW1

Sam

Sam Report 16 Jun 2009 18:22

I have a couple of ancestors who were in the police force. I was wondering how I would go about finding out about their police careers (What records are available, where or how I could get these etc.)

For one I have very little information to go on, the other a bit more.

First; the dificult one:

JOSEPH JOHN HOWELL b. 1857, Westminster, London, England.

I have his marriage certificate which states he was a police constable. His residence at the time of his marriage states "Police Station Kentish Town Road".

He married in November 1880. I have all but 1 census record from birth until death. The census record I'm missing is 1881!
By 1891 he was no longer a police officer, he was a labourer.

If someone could help me find his 1881 census that would be great. I'll post the relevant information for searching at the end of this post.

The second ancestor I have is my great grandfather. Luckily my grandmother (His daughter) is very much alive and kicking so she has given me some info.

DAVID CAMERON HEWSON b. 1890 Woolwich, Kent, England.

I have what I can only call a completion of service certificate from when he retired which gives his date of joining (19/01/1920) and retirement date (04/01/1951). There are 2 numbers on the certificate but neither of them actually state what they are. One is stamped on the left (8853) and one is hand-written at the top (73/26729).
I also have a letter to David from the under-sectary of state thanking him for his "Valued work in the war office".

I know that David transferred from the army into the metropolitan police as I have his army transfer card (So I therefore have his military details).

Are these things of any use?!

These are Josephs particulars:
Married to Eliza Wedd b. 1856 Kentish Town, London. (Married Nov 1880 in Kentish Town)
Children: Sydney b. 1881 in Edmonton, Middlesex
Florence 1883 Edmonton
Vincent 1885 Edmonton
Cecil 1887 Tottenham, Middlesex
Amy 1888 Tottenham
Clarence 1890 Edmonton
Maud 1893 Edmonton
Albert 1895 Edmonton
Beatrice 1897 Tottenham
Location on 1871 census: St John The Evangelist, London, England
1891 census: Edmonton, Middlesex
1901: Tottenham.

If anyone can help me find Joseph on the 1881 census and/or tell me how I can go about getting police records I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks in advance for your help!!