Genealogy Chat

from British Origins? If so, what info did they have?

Nell Didn't know such a thing existed - I have a 3x great grandfather, I know when he joined the militia - how do I go about finding the papers? Thanks in advance Looby

I think the originals are at county records offices, but there's a searchable database on British Origins com - you have to pay to see results. nell

http://www.originsnetwork*com/help/popup-aboutbo-militia.htm says 'Militia Attestations can be very fruitful sources of genealogical data. They were documents filled in at the time of recruitment and contain much personal data. The Origins Network will be making available indexes to over a hundred thousand militia attestations, covering the whole of the British Isles, for the period of late 19th & early 20th centuries. This dataset currently contains the names of over 64,000 recruits to militias in ********Cheshire, Essex, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey, and south and central Scotland*****. These recruits came from all over the British Isles. For all the militia attestations in these indexes you can order copies of the original documents online from The Origins Network. '

I did though it turned out not be my guy, so if anyone is researching George Ashworth son of Mary Ann Ashworth of Hyde, Cheshire. Then they can have this guys militia papers. It gives you quite a bit of useful info - persons address, occupation, a description of that person, details of any promotion, transfers etc, next of kin info and more George

I think I've answered my own question! 'Militia Attestations Index 1886-1910 About the Militia Attestations Index What do these records tell you? The original documents Ordering copies of original documents online Accessing original documents in person About the Militia Attestations Index Militia Attestations can be very fruitful sources of genealogical data. They were documents filled in at the time of recruitment and contain much personal data. The Origins Network will be making available indexes to over a hundred thousand militia attestations, covering the whole of the British Isles, for the period of late 19th & early 20th centuries. Presently the database contains covers over 64,000 recruits to militias in England and Scotland; a further 12,500 recruits are included in our Irish Origins database. For all the militia attestations in these indexes you can order copies of the original documents online from The Origins Network. The index contains the birthplaces of nearly all recruits. While, as one might expect, most recruits to a particular militia were born locally, typically a quarter to a third come from further afield. For example, nearly 10% of recruits to the Scottish militia were born in Ireland. Militia Number of recruits Period covered TNA References English militias: Cheshire Regiment 6,460 1892-1907 WO96/429-444 Essex Regiment 13,000 1886-1910 WO96/754-783 Hampshire & Isle of Wight RGA 1,290 1875-1912 WO96/1365-1368 Middlesex Regiment 11,520 1860-1901 WO96/921-950 Norfolk Regiment 5,420 1882-1906 WO96/202-214 Norfolk RGA 3,020 1874-1912 WO96/1407-1414 Suffolk Regiment 2,910 1887-1908 WO96/245-252 Suffolk RGA 2,710 1872-1912 WO96/1434-1439 West Surrey Regiment 9,210 1881-1895 WO96/11-31 England total 55,540 Scottish militias: Edinburgh RGA 2,860 1882-1915 WO96/1344-1351 Fife RGA 890 1882-1911 WO96/1352-1353 Forfarshire & Kincardine RGA 1,970 1881-1915 WO96/1354-1359 South East Scotland RGA 1,000 1877-1913 WO96/1423-1425 West Scotland RGA 1,890 1872-1911 WO96/1426-1431 Scotland total 8,610 Please note that in the “Birth County” field, Middlesex and London have both been considered as “Middlesex”, because it was often impossible to tell whether a birth was in or outside of the City of London, “London” being used arbitrarily in the originals for London-Middlesex and London-City. What do these records tell you? The index records give the last name and first name of the militiaman, place and county of birth, and The National Archives reference. The original Attestation Papers, copies of which you can order online, are very rich, and can tell a great deal about these men and their families. They show the following details: name and number birthplace (can be anywhere in the world, including America, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, as well as all over the British Isles) age whether British subject current place of residence where they have lived for the previous twelve months occupation present employer's name if an apprentice, name of master, date and place of indenture marital status number of children under 14 years of age whether they have been in prison whether they belong to the army or navy whether they have served in forces and if they have any pension if they were rejected for the services, on what grounds number of years to serve full description including marks statement of services: there are questions regarding service abroad, whether wounded, special instances of gallant conduct and medals; injuries in or by Army service. name and address of next of kin (In some instances show the mother, brothers and sisters and their addresses; the addresses can be world-wide.) The Attestation was filled in at the time of recruitment, and if a man was found to be medically unfit all his details remained on file. So even if your ancestor did not serve as a militiaman there may be something about him in these documents. The original documents Click on the 'thumbnails' below to view examples of original Attestation Papers, which show the kind of documents you could order.'

Many thanks Nell - don't have a subscription, so will keep a note and next time I do a 72 hour one - when I've a few things to look for!!!! - I'll give it a go. Regards Looby

If it's any help, here is an example of one, sent to me as part of a job lot of info on a specified surname: John Bxxxx No 1 company. Attestation 12 Feb 1885 Fakenham. Age 18 years 2 m 5' 6'' tall, does not read or write, unmarried. Dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair. Born Fakenham Militia reserves Joined 19 May 1887 Non-effective 11 Feb 1891 Discharged. Character good Permanently non-effective 11 Feb 1891 Discharge T.E. The other 2 are similar, but no forename, only initial. Jay

'permanently non-effective' is just how I feel sometimes!!!

Do you not need to differentiate between those Militia records of the 1800's and those of the 1700's for which few records are available? For example I have a book of Militia records for 1777 for Northants Militia simply giving an index of those who served in the Militia at that time(All those able bodied 18-45 who were not too poor) and somtimes if you are lucky, you get additional info about the family. I have looked in Kew and Northants CRO for other records for this period for these Militia without success although I have them in the Northants Index. One person in the army and then the Lincoln Militia in 1876 I have quite considerable records for on his Attestation and Muster records found at TNA Janet

nudge