Need help with geneaology ARMY records?

Question

Anyone have experience in tracing Army records. I hae bits of information that I'm sure if you put together will make sense. I thought my great ancestors were from Cork in Ireland but now found out that the father was in the Army and in 1841 was at Greenwich in London stated as "long shot drury"?

Does anyone know what that means and what rank that would be? Private?

And how would I trace a regiment that was in Greenwich in 1841 and most probably in Cork in Ireland in 1827.

I also have the daughter of this man born in Cork in 1827 and have a vague 2-3 year bracket she was born in and the wifes first name.

The army man was called Edward Price and his daughter Ann Price and his wife Jane.

The thing that makes me suspicious they are not irish is that he is stated on census in 1841 as being born in the UK. I doubt they would have got that wrong with an irish accent?

Anyway I was hoping someone could help me as I have no clue about pre 1914-1918 army history and am somewhat stuck as I live way too far to go to the National Archives!

Thanks

Answer 1

Firstly there is no rank such as 'Long Shot' and on the census image it only has him as 'Soldier'. EG: Private or Gunner.

On the 1841 census Edward is actually living in Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, (where some of my army ancestors also lived), so he would have been stationed at Woolwich Barracks and it would almost be impossible to research a regiment that was at Woolwich and in Ireland at these times simply because there were literally hundreds of regiments attached to each other in the same place at the same time.

I have found and obtained many of my ancestors military records online at TNA, excepting for my GGGrandfather whom I knew from his son's Will and his Obituary that he served in the Crimean war.

I ordered his military records, (going on the census) from TNA, but they couldn't find him in the Chelsea discharge for pensions.

I ended up hiring a wonderful professional researcher who specialises in Military records and she, for a very reasonable sum found the records for me filed in the wrong place ! !

I have searched the regimental births for Ann, (findmypast) for you, but there is nothing listed for a birth in Ireland in that name

If you feel that you would like to have Edward's records I can send you the researchers name (if you message me)

Military records are amazing documents, they tell you so much about your ancestors.

Edit:  Mental Mickey, Kevin is one of the best and is so reasonable, he did actually get my G Grandfather's WW1 records for me - G gramps had an earlier record of 30 years service though that I managed to  find on TNA.

His website is fantastic.

Answer 2

The record I found has Edward born in England and Jane and Ann born in Ireland.

Where did  you find the "long shot drury" comment?

Answer 3

Just giving a tiny heads up-

What you are describing is completely common. MANY persons will have a traditional family history, passed down, and even written down in some cases. In early years, this is what people had (oral history), and even 20 yrs ago, you had no means to search any census online. So... people had to accept what was given, and had no means to verify or document it.

The 1841 census is a more valid record than oral history, although it can go either way. It is completely possible that daughter was born in 1827.. she is actually the child of the above persons.. but very possible that Cork for a birthplace is not correct.  

You need alternate sources for the daughter, who normally will list her place of birth on a census as well.  

I have run into this SO OFTEN that it really has taught me a healthy skepticism about oral history, and the absolute need to be sure of having a document, before accepting anything as correct.  

Answer 4

I wouldn't like to recommend one guy other another, but you really would be best to hire in a military researcher to go to the National Archives in Kew, London and try and get the records for you.

Prices vary depending on who you use.  Those recommended by the National Archives themselves are usually pretty expensive and charge by the hour.  Personally, I use Kevin Asplin for my research (his website is here: http://hometown.aol.co.uk/kevinasplin/ho...  He is a serving soldier and goes to the National Archive quite a lot and will take on most queries for military research at very reasonable rates - one price fits all whether he finds it or not - £15-£20 usually to find a service record and copy it, though his prices might have gone up in the last year.  He's looked for records in the 1850s for both the Army and Navy on my behalf and has been very quick and cheap for an enthusastic amateur - he won't rip you off - he does it because he is a military man and likes the challenge.  He specialises in the Boer War, but he's quite knowledgable on most things.  If the records are there, he (or someone else) will certainly do their best for you.

Early army records are usually filed by Regiment I think, so without that exact information, you may struggle - especially with a common name.  Army records are also very patchy in places - the record may not survive.

Answer 5

Try Public Records Office.

Answer 6

go to www.genesreunited.co.uk

this is a family tree site and will give you some information and they have an area on the site where you can ask questions so maybe someone will be able to help you.