Wish I had done my history homework?

[nannyval]

Im lost!! Family story goes that young man signed up for the kings shilling,returned to his family home, where his sister hid him until the Army came for him. Now the story can be supported by the finding of a Rifle and ammo of some age, ( when clearing the house where his sister lived) but I do not have a clue about these things.My next mystery is which war? I know his name, date of death 1899, aged 24 years. Was he taken to jail, or heaven forbid, shot as an absconder?Please could you point me in the right direction?

[Barnzzz]

Hello Nannyval, can you tell us names and dates and any other information you may have ?

Sue

[Guy Etchells]

Geoffers gave some excellent advice in the thread about Boer War army records etc.
http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1812
Cheers
Guy

[Geoffers]

Im lost!! Family story goes that young man signed up for the kings shilling,returned to his family home, where his sister hid him until the Army came for him. I know his name, date of death 1899, aged 24 years.

As has been mentioned, his name would help to find out where his service record is probably held at The National Archives (TNA). The records are held in large boxes, each holding 1-200 soldiers' documents. The records are indexed by the first and last name to appear alphabetically in a box. Identify the box and you can request TNA to provide an estimate for copying it or can order a copy via digital express.

This thread (http://www.british-genealogy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35481)shows how to search for records in the catalogue, read messages 1, 2 and 6.

[nannyval]

Thank you, followed your instructions fully read 1,2 & 6 and took me a while as you suggested. Now Im in a world I dont understand !!!please will you try for me? I have located where I need to source from WO97/2958 HALL Thomas Henry. Died 1899 aged 24 years is all I have. Believed MIddx. (No, not the same as my first enquiry ) but another with the same name along with 5 known others....As you can believe it has got a bit messy sorting them all out!!!

[Geoffers]

Good, you got the same result as me. Note that this is just a catalogue, it tells you where to find files and there reference. But it is possible to order copies online.

So, this was the result for carrying out a search of:
HAL* 1890-1899 in WO97 (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/searchresults.asp?SearchInit=0&txtsearchterm=HAL*&txtfirstdate=1890&txtlastdate=1899&txtrestriction=wo97&hdnsorttype=Reference&image1.x=26&image1.y=19)

Note that the file names (under 'Title/Scope and Content') are links.

Click on WO97/2958 HALL T-W (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=691896&CATLN=6&Highlight=%2CHALL&accessmethod=0)

You get taken to another screen where on the right hand side you'll see 'Request this'

Select the 'Request this' button

You then get asked how you want to order a copy of the file (assuming that the record for your chap can be found).

Digital Express provides same day service with documents provided to you online, it costs £8.50 to send you 10 images. You can order paper copies instead.

Include as much detail as you can about your chap in ordering the file.

I hope that makes sense, but if not, please ask again.

[nannyval]

Thanks yet again....Im on to it right now.