Genealogy Chat

Picture this if you will - 1891 census Thomas TRIGG described as Policeman - living in Cardiff - likely to be a member of the Cardiff Constabulary wouldn't you think? So did I, however Glamorgan Records Office (bless 'em) have checked and no sign of him - do I mark him down as a Fibber or can anyone suggest another likely place for him to plod his beat? If I can't get this I'm up a gum tree. I am finding that the nearer the relatives are to me, the more difficult it is to find out about them. Any suggestions, and I mean any, would be appreciated. Jacqui

Hi Jacqui, Weren't you expecting to find him Gloucestershire? Have you tried police records there?

The railways have always had a separate national police force alongside the county forces. It's British Transport Police now, wouldn't know what it was then

Hi Lucy - didn't expet you to have surfaced!!! Had enough? Don't blame you - felt like putting out a STOP notice on your behalf old girl - fairs fair and all that - serve you right for being so generous though! I'm sure you have the undying gratitiude of most of the genes crew - I know I'm grateful. I thought that as grt-grandad Trigg was living in Cardiff on the 1891 it was fair to assume he worked there as well - it's a fair old hoof from Cardiff to Gloucester (and I'm sure his E-type would have been in dock). I might try the Railway Police but I have a niggling little thought in the back of my mind that my grannie did say her dad was a Policeman - unless thats wishful thinking. The annoying part is that he disappears from the 1901 Census (there are other Thomas Triggs but not him) so either he departed this life, or more likely did a runner. What a family eh? Thanks for your input both of you - I'll wander down the Trigg trail again tomorrow I expect. in and out, in and out, up and down - I'll find him somewhere no doubt. thanks. Jacqui

Jacqui, I had a look on the 1891 census and noted his wife, Margaret and their children, Ida and Elsie. Had a look on the 1901 census and likewise couldn't spot our vanishing policeman. However, I did spot a possible match for his wife: Margaret Trigg, 40, born Mon Cwmbran, living in parish of Canton Although the age differs slightly from the 1891 census, the other info seems to match up. I went back to the Search form and selected "Widowed" under Marital Condition. The search returned 3 results and Margaret's name was still among them. So, judging by that, it would be appear that Thomas Trigg had died. Their children, Ida and Elsie appear to be living elsewhere. Hope this helps, Andy.

Hi Jacqui You have my sympathy I to had a gt. grandfather who was a policeman who was rather elusive . He was never where you would expect him to be, He didn't appear on any census returns , athough his wife and children did . Even when he died in the workhouse he proved just as elusive There is a record of his death but none of his admittance. All of the children were baptised at the local parish church and he is listed as a policeman and the address given on my Gran's birth certificate was the same as the local police station and houses. In reality the family lived in Chorley then Preston, St Helen's and finally in Manchester I found this out with the help of a local police historian. Perhaps this a line you could follow Good luck with your search Bren

Thanks folks - come to the same conclusions myself. I have found the children (well 1 of them anyway) on the 1901 staying with an aunt and uncle - Margaret is shown as a widow - I'm pretty sure that would be her as it all tallys up. Elsie the youngest child had died, but there was another child Thomas (Jnr) who was 8 in 1901 - so Thomas Trigg Snr must have died sometime between 1891 (after census night) and 1899 (ie during the life span of his youngest child Thomas) Poor old Elsie must have died within this period also. Another twist is that on Ida's marriage her father is not shown as deceased, and is down as working in Gas Works. There is a thomas Trigg working in gas works on 1901 and he has a daughter Ida, but the ages are not right - all far too young. Anyone know a policce historian who might help? Thanks for your input andy and Brenda. Jacqui

Jacqueline you may curse me for this but I have been looking for an article I read somewhere ( a family history mag. type) that mentioned research re the pollice. May have just been the Met. I can't find it !!!! Perhaps someone else has it? It was fairly recent. Did a search and found this site [http://www.lightage.demon.co.uk/RESEARCH.htm] Didn't look fully but it might give you a clue? Good Luck John

Whoops it didn't come through so will try this (http://www(.)lightage.demon(.)co(.)uk/RESEARCH.htm)

you could always try searching through the electoral registers at Glamorgan Archives for the parish in which he lived that would at least give you his address,who else was in the house and his voting status-from this you can tell whether he was working,military or just resident. It is a long haul,but well worth it -I found elusive relatives this way and was able to track them from 1891 to 1946! Good luck with your search, Sinead

Hi Jacqui Sorry I didn't mention in my last reply . I got in touch with the police historian who was an ex policeman through my Local Interests Library. Maybe there is one in Cardiff who could help you in your search Also we have another policeman in our family tree who in the 1881 census is named as Elijah when you look at the B.M.D you can only find an Elijah for the year of his birth and area he came from, but on his Police record he is Benjamin. So did your Thomas have another name which he preferred to use and this was on his records? Bren

Hiya all - I'm back on the trail of the tiresome TRIGGS again - I can only find one Thomas Trigg born in Gloucester(shire) that would tally up so do not think he had another name - I keep thinking of him as Thomas the Tank Engine actually - so might look him up under that! I might try the Glamorgan Electrol Rolls but I did think in 1891 unless the male was a householder they were not eligible to vote and therefore not on the electrol rolls. I will investigate however. I will also try the site mentioned by John but I'm not hopeful - I think he was guilty of "impersonating an officer of the law" - I might try Cardiff Prison actually now I come to think about it!! Thanks for input Jacqui

Did Cardiff have a separate force from the county? In that period every town would probably have had a separate police force. I see someone has suggested the forerunners to the British Transport Police. Was there a Royal Naval Dockyard in Cardiff - there was Dockyard Police? MB