Genealogy Chat

I have a photo of a General written on the back is a name which looks like Leigh Pember but a corner of the photo is torn off the date on the back is 1885. The photo was taken by Alexander Bassano who also took the famous picture of Queen Victoria. This photo was in among family photos and he was obviuosly important to some member of the family but I cant find him on searches or military sites. One of my ancestors was staitioned at Chorlton county Barracks in Hulme Lancashire on the 1881 census and I was wondering if he could have been the commanding officer? I cant find any matches on the 1881 census for the general. Any ideas?

could it be pemberton? hope you solve the mystery she

Alison I read your recent mention of the General and it suddenly came to mind that he could be part of the Leigh (Legh) family from Cheshire. They did add the names together when they married so it could be Leigh-Pemberton. Worth looking up the Leigh/Legh family on the net to see if there is anything. If I find anything I shall let you know. Vera Manchester

Thanks for the Email Vera I found Wykeham L Pemberton on the 1881 census listed as a Colonel F P aged 47 b in Middlesex. I also found a Edward L Pemberton b 1824 Middlesex a Major in the Yeomanry Rifles.Mine was a General in 1885 so who could have been promoted by 1885?

H Allison. Looks as though Wykeham is your man. Next rank up from Colonel in those days was Brigadier-General. Now just called Brigadier. Good hunting. Keith

Great strides since yesterday,Wykeham Leigh Pemberton married Jessie Graham Gaddun in 1884 Her parents were Charles Gaddum and Jessie Graham of Skelmorlie Castle Ayr. My gg grandfather was a coachman and his freemason papers were issue to the Killwinig lodge in Skelmorlie now I want to find if he was employed by the Gaddum/Graham family and went with Jessie when she maried

Have you tried the london Gazette for the time period because it gives all the infirmation about promotions and other military mentions in dispatches sort of things. Roger

Ive found him on the 1901 as a major general so this is probably him and if I can find the Cheshire census for 1871 I can see if his wife was there because I know my gg grandfather was the only trouble is finding the 1871, it may mean a trip to Alderly Edge where it is kept and a trawl through it as it only has a street index.

Hi Allison. Try the Local Family History Society or one of the researchers mentioned for example in the back of Family Tree, or Practical Family History magazines. Don't know where you are based but you could save yourself a lot of travelling