Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Family Army Story - how to check?

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Christine

Christine Report 10 Jul 2004 19:50

Both my mother and aunt (now deceased) remember their grandfather, Richard Long, telling of his time in the Army particularly of time in South Africa - the Boer War was mentioned but being born in 1848 I think he would have been too old for that. Richard was born in South Wales and moved to Stockton on Tees c 1883. The story goes that he also took his son, Edward born 1869, to Strensall Barracks near York and that for many years there was a photograph (now missing) of three men in Army uniform - one Richard a sargeant with Edward and another man (unknown). Any ideas as to how and where I can check this out? Mary

Sue in Sx

Sue in Sx Report 11 Jul 2004 15:31

The National Archive at Kew is where you will find Army Records for this period in time. They don't do research so you will either have to go yourself and search or pay a researcher to look for you. See if you can get Tracing your Ancestors in the PRO by Amanda Bevan from your library, this will give you all the info you need to decide if a trip to Kew would be worthwhile. Sue

Malcolm

Malcolm Report 11 Jul 2004 17:16

Hi Mary Boer Wars was the name given to the South African Wars of 1880-1 and 1899-1902, that were fought between the British and the descendants of the Dutch settlers (Boers) in Africa. Most people only think that there was the 1899 - 1902 war It could possible that your relation served in the first 1880 - 1881 hope that this of some help Malcolm

Seasons

Seasons Report 11 Jul 2004 20:17

Try searching 1st Boer War - not sure if that will produce anything but you never know.

Christine

Christine Report 12 Jul 2004 20:39

Thanks for all your help - certainly didn't know of the first two dates and am off now to search 1st Boer War - the knowledge on this site amazes me!! Mary

Crista

Crista Report 12 Jul 2004 22:17

Mary, Household: Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability Richard LONG Head M Male 33 Dowlais, Glamorgan, Wales Labourer In Iron Works Margareat LONG Wife M Female 29 Birmingham Edward LONG Son Male 11 Tredegar, Monmouth, England Schooler Seeing as he's on the 1881 census it seems unlikely he served in the first Boer War. Crista

Christine

Christine Report 13 Jul 2004 21:27

Thanks Christa - I am beginning to think that this is just one big story and the photograph was fancy dress - still I won't give up just yet