Genealogy Chat

I would like to get the marriage cert of my Grx2 grandparents but am stuck. He was in Royal Artillery (B Hinckley). They had 1st child in Woolwich c1860. (not registered) and I cannot find him in baptisms or 1861 census. The 1871 census shows family in Birkenhead where rest of siblings were born. That census also shows wife as Mary - born - Ireland. No other info. Where to go now? Any help much appreciated. Jim

Dear Jim Have you tried the registers in the FRC, or FreeBMD (my Outlook Express won't save the site name, so I have to access it via a google search each time), and then 1837online(.)com? familysearch(.)org is often helpful, too. Otherwise, have you thought of looking for military records at Kew (telephone 020 8876 3444)? Sorry if this is obvious and you've done all this already. Lysianne

Jim, You could check out where his regiment was in 1861 - regiments dot org is the site I think. Military BMDs are I believe held separately at the Family Records Centre in London (haven't yet accessed them personally). One of my lot was in Ireland at one stage - so your man could have been too, where he met his wife - maybe? Also, as already suggested, if he survived military service, his records could be at the PRO. Typically, these documents contain details of next of kin as well as family events - and of course personal details about where a man served and even a physical description. They are most informative when you are lucky enough to find one! (Have a look on PROCAT - the online catalogue first - do persevere even though it's quite strange to use at first, it's helped me a lot.) Good luck, Jane

Many Thanks for your input ladies. I have spent many hours at Kew and FRC looking for my Gt Grandfathers birth records. Thats how I am 99% sure he wasn't registered as being born at Woolwich although every official document I have says he was. I believe that the birth cert is the only way I will get to his mothers maiden surname, Hence the plea. The thought about where the reg was is interesting, I had assumed his father to be in barracks at Woolwich, I'll take that further! Thanks again, I hope you see this or I'll send seperate coms later. Jim

Many Thanks for your input ladies. I have spent many hours at Kew and FRC looking for my Gt Grandfathers birth records. Thats how I am 99% sure he wasn't registered as being born at Woolwich although every official document I have says he was. I believe that the birth cert is the only way I will get to his mothers maiden surname, Hence the plea. The thought about where the reg was is interesting, I had assumed his father to be in barracks at Woolwich, I'll take that further! Thanks again, I hope you see this or I'll send seperate coms later. Jim

Many Thanks for your input ladies. I have spent many hours at Kew and FRC looking for my Gt Grandfathers birth records. Thats how I am 99% sure he wasn't registered as being born at Woolwich although every official document I have says he was. I believe that the birth cert is the only way I will get to his mothers maiden surname, Hence the plea. The thought about where the reg was is interesting, I had assumed his father to be in barracks at Woolwich, I'll take that further! Thanks again, I hope you see this or I'll send seperate coms later. Jim

I'v just had a quick look at my original query and would just like to say I only keyed one response. But, my thoughts are still as they were. Many Thanks to you both. Jim